"I made an attempt to escape; and, being unsuccessful, I received a further sentence of two months' hard labour on the hulk. "When at length I received my liberty, I hastened to Melbourne. There I made inquiries for the merchant, in hopes of being able to obtain an interview with his daughter, who was then the only being on earth, for whom I entertained the slightest feeling of friendship. "I succeeded in finding the young lady; and was conducted into the presence of her mother--who, somewhat to my surprise, received me in the most cordial manner! "The old merchant was dead. He had died within a month after landing; and the goods he had brought with him to the colony--not being suited to the market--had been sold for little more than the freight out from England had cost. His widow and her daughter were living by their own industry--which, I need hardly tell you, was something they had never done before." Here Sailor Bill paused--as if he had got to the end of his story. But his listeners were not contented with such a termination. They believed there must be something more to come--perhaps more interesting than anything yet revealed; and they clamoured for him to go on, and give them the finale. "There's nothing more," said Bill, in response to the calls of the company; "at least nothing that would interest any of you." "Let us be the judges of that," cried one. "Come, Bill, your story is not complete--finish it--finish it!" "I'm sorry myself it's not finished," rejoined he. "It won't be, I suppose, until I get back to Melbourne." "What then?" inquired several voices. "Well then," said Bill, forced into a reluctant confession, "I suppose it will end by my getting spliced." "And to the young lady, with whom you spent those pleasant evenings on the poop?" "Exactly so. I've written to her, to say I'm coming to Melbourne. I intend to take her and her mother back to England--where they've long wished to go. Of course it would never do to make such a voyage, without first splicing the main brace, and securing the craft against all the dangers of the sea. For that reason, I've proposed to the young lady, that she and I make the voyage as man and wife; and I'm happy to tell you that my proposal has been accepted. Now you've got the whole of my _yarn_." And with this characteristic ending, Sailor Bill brought his story to a termination. Volume Three, Chapter XVIII. MY BROTHER WILLIAM. The next morning, I arose early, and went to Olliphant's tent--to take leave of him, and his companion Bill. I accompanied them to the public-house, from which the stage coach to Geelong was to start. We stepped inside the house, to have a glass together. "There's a question," said Bill, "that I've often thought of putting to you. I've heard you called Rowland. Excuse my appearing to be inquisitive; but I have a strong reason for it. You have some other name. Will you tell me what it is?"