In the Eastern Seas | Page 6

never saw him, and I
think papa kept up no communication with him. We now and then saw
his brother, Mr Tom Heathfield--for the family name is the same as
ours. He is a very good-natured, merry person, and used always to try
to make us laugh when he called. And our eldest uncle had some sons,
but I never met them; indeed, I am sure their papa would never have let
them come to the house."
"From all accounts, then, the only relation you know anything about is
your father's cousin, Mr Tom Heathfield. Do you know where he
lives?"
Walter thought a moment. "No," he answered; "somewhere in London,
I know, and I daresay I can find out."
"Well, we must do our best to discover him when we get on shore,"
said the captain.
It was evident to him that the young people had not realised their
thoroughly destitute condition. Whatever property their poor father
might have had must have been lost in the Mountaineer. "However," he
thought to himself, "if the brother's heart cannot be moved to take care
of the orphans, perhaps this Mr Tom Heathfield or Lord Heatherly will
do so. In the meantime, I must look after them."
The Bussorah Merchant reached the Thames in safety, and went into
the docks to discharge her cargo.
"You must come with me, my young friends, till we can find out your
cousin," said the kind captain. "My good wife, Mrs Davenport, will be
very glad to see you, as will our little girl Grace. You must be content
with such fare as we can offer, and you may be sure of a hearty
welcome."
"Thank you, sir," said Walter. "Emily and I, I am sure, shall be very
happy with you. Do you live in the West End of London?"

"No," answered the captain, smiling; "I live at Poplar. It is a different
sort of locality; but I have had a good many losses, and am not so well
off as some masters of ships. But my life has been preserved when
others have lost theirs, and I retain my health and strength. I have a
good wife and an affectionate little girl, and I have therefore reason to
be thankful; and so I am."
Captain Davenport, as soon as he was at liberty, accompanied by his
young charges, set off for his home. It differed, however, greatly from
the sort of house Walter and Emily had been accustomed to live in. But
it was very neat; with green palings in front, and neatly-painted shutters,
and the whitest of stone steps leading up to the hall door. The captain
had had no time to tell his wife of the guests she might expect. After,
therefore, the first greetings between them were over, and he had
embraced his little daughter Grace, Mrs Davenport naturally inquired
who the young strangers were. No sooner had she heard their history
than she gave an affectionate embrace to Emily.
"Yes, indeed, you are welcome here," she said; "and if you are content
with this house, we shall be glad to have you remain in it. And I am
sure Grace will do her best to make you at home, young lady," she said,
placing the girls' hands in each other's.
The captain, of course, had a great deal to do on his first arrival after a
long absence, and could not, therefore, go in search of Mr Tom
Heathfield, Walter's cousin. Walter acknowledged that he was not
likely to find him himself, as he had but seldom been in London, and
did not know his way about. All he could tell was, that he lived
somewhere in the West End, and he thought he belonged to two or
three clubs.
"Very likely, young gentleman," said the captain, laughing. "However,
when I can get hold of one of those books they call Court Guides, I
may be able to find him."
A week passed pleasantly enough away. Grace was very kind to Emily,
and Walter was never tired of walking about the docks, and watching
the large ships loading and unloading the bales and casks of goods

coming and going to all parts of the world. It gave him some idea of the
vast amount of commerce of London, when such a stream of
merchandise was coming in and going out all day long.
At length the captain told him that he had some hours to spare, and they
set off together to try and find Mr Heathfield. They got down at
Charing Cross, where a bookseller allowed them to look over a Court
Guide.
"Yes, that must be my cousin," said Walter, seeing the name. "I now
remember going there with my father. Yes, and those are the clubs he
belongs to."