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"For a girl convicted of theft, she writes very well"

"Her earlier letters were full of s, but Jess was an educated reat improvement"

Carlisle began reading aloud

My Dear Captain Scaggs,

I pray you are in good health This will be my last letter to you as I have aship A my Jess

I have a last request that I pray you will honor In the first week of April of this year, hter, Mary, departed the island on board a whaler whose captain was sailing from here to Auckland for badly needed repairs to his hull after a brush with a coral reef There, the children were to book passage on a ship bound for England and then eventually make their way to you in Aberdeen

I have written to ask you, dearest friend, to take thee or their education at the finest schools England has to offer I would be eternally grateful, and I know Jess would share the same sentiments, rest his dear departed soul, if you will honor my request

I have included acy for your services and whatever cost it takes to see theht children and will be diligent in their studies

With deepest respect I wish you a loving farewell

Betsy Dorsett

One final thought The serpent sends his regards

Carlisle peered over his glasses " `The serpent sends his regards' What nonsense is that?"

"The sea serpent who saved us fros "Turned out he lived in the lagoon I saw hi my time on the island"

Carlisle looked at his old friend as if he were drunk, then thought better of pursuing the e froland?"

"Not so young," said Scaggs "The oldeston nineteen"