: Under the Waves: Diving in Deep Waters by Ballantyne R M Robert Michael Pearson Illustrator - Pirates Juvenile fiction; Voyages and travels Juvenile fiction; Deep diving Juvenile fiction; China Sea Juvenile fiction Children's Fiction

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ed, "From my nephew, Edgar! I knew it. Dear fellow! I wonder why he writes to me."

The letter ran as follows:--

"Dear Aunt,--You will doubtless be surprised to receive a letter from me. It must be brief; the post leaves in an hour. Since I saw you we have had a charming voyage out, but at the last we ran on a rocky island off the coast of China, and became a total wreck in a few minutes."

At this point Miss Pritty gasped "oh!" and fainted--at least she went into a perfect semblance of the state of coma, but as she recovered suddenly, and appealed to the letter again with intense earnestness, it may have been something else that was the matter. She resumed her perusal:--

"We succeeded in getting a hawser on shore, by means of which, through God's mercy, nearly all the passengers were saved, including, of course, your friend Miss Hazlit and her father. It is mournful to have to add, however, that before the work was finished the wreck slipped into deep water and sank with all her crew on board. We remained only one day on the rock, when a passing ship observed our signals, took us off, and carried us safely into Hong-Kong.

"Mr Hazlit and his daughter immediately left for--I know not where! I remained here to make some inquiries about the wreck, which I am told contains a large amount of gold coin. Now, I want you to take the enclosed letter to my father's old servant, Joe Baldwin; help him to read it, if necessary, and to answer it by return of post. It is important; therefore, dear aunt, don't delay. I think you know Baldwin's address, as I've been told he lives in the district of the town which you are wont to visit. Excuse this shabby scrawl, and the trouble I ask you to take, and believe me to be your loving nephew, Edgar Berrington."

Miss Pritty was a prompt little woman. Instead of finishing her tea she postponed that meal to an indefinite season, threw on her bonnet and shawl, and left her humble abode abruptly.

Joe Baldwin was enjoying a quiet pipe at his own fireside--in company with his buxom wife and his friends Mr and Mrs Rooney Machowl--when Miss Pritty tripped up to his door and knocked.

"Come away, Miss,--glad to see you--always so," said Joe, wiping a chair with his cap and extinguishing his pipe out of deference; "sit down, Miss."

Miss Pritty bowed all round, wished each of the party good-evening by name, and seating herself beside the little fire as easily and unceremoniously as though it had been her own, drew forth her letter.

"This is for you, Mr Baldwin," she said; "it came enclosed in one to me, and is from my nephew, Edgar Berrington, who says it is important."

"Thank you, ma'am," said Joe, taking the letter, opening it, and looking at it inquiringly.

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