Of course the news spread like wildfire that the lifeboat had come in with the crew of the wrecked _North Star_--some said the whole crew, others, part of the crew; for verbal reports of this kind never do coincide after travelling a short way. "Jeff, I must go straight to my sister, and be first wi' the news," said Captain Millet on landing. "You said my Rosebud is with her just now?" "Yes, I'll go with 'ee, captain." "Come along, then, lad; but I fear you've got hurt. You're sure it isn't broken ribs?" "Oh, nothing to speak of," replied the youth, with a light laugh. "First however, I must telegraph to the owners," said the captain. This duty performed, and his men comfortably housed in a neighbouring inn, Captain Millet and Jeff went off to the cottage. It was about two in the morning when they reached it. No one had yet been there. In his excited state of mind, the captain, who had no nerves, thundered at the door. If there was one thing that Miss Millet had a horror of, it was housebreakers. She leaped out of bed, and began to dress in terror, having roused Rose, who slept with her. "Burglars never thunder like that, auntie," suggested Rose, as she hastily threw on her garments. Miss Millet admitted the force of the argument and then, somewhat relieved, concluded that it must be tipsy men. Under this impression she raised the window-sash--her bedroom being on the upper floor--and looked timidly out. "Go away, bad, naughty men!" she said, in a remonstrative tone. "If you don't I shall send for the police!" "Why, Molly, don't you know me?" "Brother!" shrieked Miss Millet. "Father!" exclaimed the Rosebud. Need we say that, after a few more hurried touches to costume, the door was opened, and the untimely visitors were admitted? Need we add that when Rose, with a little cry of joy, leaped into her father's arms and received a paternal hug, she leaped out of them again with a little shriek of surprise? "Father, you're all wet! a perfect sponge!" "True, darling, I forgot! I've just been wrecked, and rescued by the lifeboat through God's great mercy, 'long with all my crew; and there," he added, pointing to Jeff, "stands the man that saved my life." If Rose loved the young coastguardsman before, she absolutely idolised him now. Something of the feeling must have betrayed itself on her fair face, for Jeff made a step towards her, as if under an irresistible impulse to seize her hand. But at that moment he experienced an agonising sensation of pain, and, staggering backwards, sat down--almost fell--upon the sofa. "Nothing--nothing," he replied, to the anxious inquiries of Miss Millet. "Only a little pain, caused by the rap I got from that mast. Come now, auntie, don't fuss about me, but sit down and hear what the captain has got to say." CHAPTER FIVE. MISS MILLET RECEIVES A SURPRISE, ROSEBUD A DISAPPOINTMENT, AND OUR HERO ANOTHER BLOW.