And the sailor to whom he gave the order arose and followed Justin on shore and then up to the house. And then before even giving Britomarte an account of his visit to the ship, he called Judith to bring a large covered basket, and with his own hands he filled it with chickens, eggs, fresh butter, cheese, milk, fruit and fish, and gave it to Jones, directing him to take it with his compliments to the captain of the _Xyphias_. And Jones touched his hat and went back to the boat. Justin passed into the parlor, where Britomarte, with tea ready, waited for him. “Oh, Justin! what a joy to think that we shall leave this lonely isle, and sail for our native land once more!” she exclaimed. “Yes, an unutterable joy!” replied Justin. “Ah! what a change has a few hours brought about. This morning, when we arose, we had no more idea of being rescued from this island than we had had on any day in the two years and a half that we have spent here!” “No, indeed! Let us thank the Lord for this great deliverance.” “Oh, I do! I do!” said Britomarte, fervently. Then a silence fell between them for a few minutes—a silence which Britomarte at length broke by asking: “Our prisoner, Justin—what about him? Have you told the captain of him?” “No, not yet. I have concluded to defer all mention of our prisoner until to-morrow, when the captain and his officers are coming to dine with us.” “Yes; that will be the best opportunity of introducing the subject,” assented Britomarte. After tea they spent the evening in planning for the entertainment of the captain and the officers of the _Xyphias_. And then they separated and retired to bed—not to sleep, but to lie awake with the joy of thinking about their voyage home. CHAPTER XXXII. THE PIRATE SPEAKS FOR HIMSELF. The next morning was one of pleasant bustle in the island home. The little household was astir early. And directly after breakfast they went about preparing to receive their company. Justin went out with his tackle to the little creek making up from the cove, where at this season he could catch fine fish. Britomarte began to sweep and dust the parlor, and to arrange the furniture and put fresh flowers in the vases. These vases, by the way, were of wickerwork, woven by Justin from the fibres of the palm leaves, and provided with wooden cups hollowed out from blocks of palm logs, to hold the water for the flowers. Judith, in the kitchen, was up to her eyes in pastry, jelly and custard.