Page:History and adventures of Jack Mansong.pdf/14

14 immediately fell bathed in blood. He being very weak, Jack took him on his back and conveyed him to his cave.

Mr. Chapman, missing Captain Orford, returned with his party to search for him ; when they came to the bay, they found his hat and gun lying on the ground. Immediately suspecting the disaster he spread the alarm, and caused an instant pursuit, but without effect. Jack having eluded their search, Mr. Chapman, absorbed in grief, returned home. On his arrival, he was met by Tuckey ; this for a moment assuaged his grief ; but when the boy related the disaster, his agony increased. He feared to tell his daughter the melancholy circumstance and dreaded the discovery.

Rosa perceiving the company returning, went with a joyful heart and smiling countenance, to meet her father : but seeing his melancholy air, she was alarmed. She inquired after his health, and the cause of his grief but received no answer ; she then eagerly asked for her beloved Orford ; but the awful silence and sorrow which appeared on every countenance convinced her of the cause ; and she immediately fainted away. She was borne to her chamber ; where she continued several days without taking any refreshment ; and her life was despaired of. Fortunately a favourable and sudden change took place, for which neither her physician or attendants could assign a cause, and she visibly recovered.

Mr. Chapman was blessed by this joyful change ; he saw with transport the colour again glow on the cheek of his beloved daughter ; and he was resolved that the day of her recovery should be a joyful holiday to the whole plantation. He was really a good man, and very generally beloved ; the slaves readily obeyed so kind a master ; and his plantation was esteemed the most thriving in