Chapter Five.Strength in Weakness.When little Peter read his Bible on a Sunday while other men were mending their clothes, or sleeping, or amusing themselves with old newspapers or story books, he was generally allowed to do so in peace, but he wished to study it on week-days, as well, convinced that it was intended to guide him in every affair of life. On each occasion that he was found doing so, however, he was sure to be interrupted. The other boys would play him all sorts of tricks, and the men would send him to perform some work or other, and if they could think of nothing else, would despatch him with a pretended message to the man at the helm. Simon Hixon was his greatest foe, and frequently as Peter passed gave him a blow with a rope’s-end.One day as Peter was quietly reading his Bible in the berth, Hixon swore that if he found him again at it, he would throw the book overboard.“It would be a great shame to do that,” answered Peter, “and I hope you won’t try. God would, I am sure, not allow you to go unpunished.”“You see, youngster, if I am not as good as my word,” growled Hixon.Peter prayed that the old seaman’s hard heart might be softened, and that he might be prevented committing such a crime.“I don’t think if you read the book you would wish to destroy it,” said Peter. “It is full of such beautiful things, that you would like to read them over and over again if you were once to begin.”“I can’t read, so there’s little chance of that,” said Hixon.“But will you let me read them to you?” asked Peter. “I shall be very glad to do that.”“What! when I have told you that I would heave the book overboard if I found you reading it?” said the old man.“That makes no difference,” said Peter, “only just listen to one or two.”“Not I. I don’t want to hear your yarns,” said Hixon, turning away.Peter went on reading, and the old man did not further interfere with him.The ship sailed on. When she was crossing the line the usual ceremonies were performed. Peter heard what was to take place, and, fearing that his Bible would get wet, hid it away carefully. He felt very anxious, however, lest any one should suspect what he had done, and look for it. He and the other young seamen who had not before crossed the line, were ducked, and had all sorts of tricks played on them by Neptune and his attendants. Peter took everything in good part, though he was nearly drowning in a sail triced up on deck and filled with water, when Owen Bell jumped in and pulled him out. He made his escape as soon as the amusements were over, and hurried to the berth to look for his book. To his great joy he found it safe, and immediately hung it again round his neck.Some more weeks passed away. Hitherto Owen Bell, even on a Sunday, had always made some excuse for not reading with Peter. At length one hot Sunday, when the ship was becalmed in the tropics, and even Owen felt no inclination for sky-larking, Peter got him to sit down while most of the crew were asleep, or occupied in some of the few shady spots they could find. Peter, opening the book, read the account of the visit of Nicodemus to the Lord.“He was a learned and important man, and yet you see he wanted to be taught, and the Lord did teach him. He showed him he was a sinner by nature, as all of us are, and that he must become a new creature.”“I cannot understand how he could become that of his own accord,” said Bell. “It’s hard to tell a man to do what he cannot.”“The Lord never did that,” said Peter, “when He told him that he ‘must be born again.’ He showed him clearly how it must be brought about. You remember what He said about the Israelites when bitten by serpents in the wilderness, and how they were cured immediately they looked on the brazen serpent, taking Moses at his word when he told them to do so. So if we only take God at His word, and look to Jesus on the cross suffering for and bearing our sins, we shall be forgiven, and through the power of the Holy Spirit be born again. What I am sure God wants us to do is to take Him at His word, to believe that He will do whatever He says; and Jesus Himself tells us that he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”“What an old-fashioned little chap you are,” said Owen, laughing. “You talk like a book.”“It seems all very clear to me, and I wish that it did to you, Bell.”“Well, the truth is, that I have been such a bad fellow, and have so many sins to answer for, that I don’t fancy when God comes to count them up He can pardon me. Even when I seemed most careless and full of jokes, I have often had my heart pressed down with the recollection of all the bad things I have done.”“But Jesus tells us in another place that ‘He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance,’ and when He says, ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,’ He means by ‘whosoever,’ everybody, good people and bad people.”“But do you think if I was to try and please God and serve Him He would pardon me?” asked Bell.“He doesn’t say that,” said Peter. “He promises to forgive only those who trust in Jesus Christ, because Jesus was punished instead of them, and if one person was punished instead of another He will not punish that other; it would be unjust to do that. Oh, Bell, why don’t you take God at His word, and believe on Jesus, and then you would be able to obey Him and serve Him, because He will send you the Holy Spirit to help you as He has promised?”Much more to the same effect the young boy urged on his friend, while he read numerous portions of Scripture to him to prove his words.The boys were now called off to their duty on board, and the conversation was interrupted. Owen seemed very quiet and serious; but he had no opportunity of speaking to Peter for some days. At last, when they were alone together again he said to him:“I am sure you are right, Peter; I never before understood that Jesus died instead of me on account of my sins, and therefore if I believe on Him I shall be helped to overcome my sins, and shall not be punished for them, but shall go to heaven, and live with Him in happiness; I see it, and believe it now. The Bible is no new book to me, Peter, I have heard it read often and often at home, and have read it myself too, though I could not understand its meaning.”After this, Owen Bell took every opportunity of reading with Peter, and as he was as strong as a man, and respected by the crew, no one interrupted them.One evening they had been reading together, when Owen turned suddenly to Peter, and said:“Do you think if I was to die to-night I should go to be with Jesus?”“I know you would, for I am sure you believe on Him.”“That I do, with all my heart and soul,” exclaimed Owen Bell. “And I wish that I could serve Him and make known His love to others. I feel it myself, and I have been trying to speak to Emery about it, and though he is little better than a heathen, he said he should like to know more about one so good and kind as Jesus must be who died to save others; and Bill, the cook, was ready to listen. I think, Peter, if you offered to read to them they would let you, and tell them all about the love of Jesus, as you told me, and I cannot but fancy that they would trust to Him as I have done. It will be a hard matter to get at the captain and mates; but I should not despair of them if they were to hear of the glorious things which the Gospel contains.”Peter often afterwards recollected this conversation with Owen Bell.That night he was aroused from his sleep by the cry of “All hands shorten sail!”The men rushed on deck half-clothed, for they knew the summons admitted of no delay. In an instant they were flying aloft. A heavy squall had struck the ship, and she was heeling over, her masts bending like willow wands and threatening to go every instant. The sheets were let fly, but before the sails could be furled there came a crash, and the fore-topmast with its yard, to which several of the crew were clinging, was carried away. Their cries were heard as they struggled in the foaming waters under the lee, but no help could be rendered them. Away the ship flew. Every effort was made to clear the wreck and to furl the sails. Some time passed before it could be done. The gale continued to increase.The captain stood back over the spot in the hopes of picking up some who might have clung to the spars. The names were called over. Among those who did not answer was Owen Bell.“Poor fellow,” said several.“A fine young lad,” said the captain, “I hope we may pick him up.”Peter hoped so too; but he did not mourn for his friend as his shipmates did, for he was sure that if Owen Bell was drowned he had gone to be with the Master, who, though lately found, he had been brought truly to love.The search was vain, the ship wore round and continued her course. Peter missed Owen Bell greatly. The rest of the men treated him, for his friend’s sake, perhaps, with less unkindness than before, and a more subdued tone was perceptible among them; even the captain and mates seemed to feel for the loss of the men, and fewer oaths were heard than usual.Peter found an opportunity of speaking to Emery, the negro. “That just what Owen Bell say,” answered the steward; “If Jesus die for me, and love me, I ought to love Him.”“Yes,” observed Peter, “but not only that; you must believe that He died to take away your sins, and that your sins are taken away; that God looks upon you as free from sin, and will receive you into heaven when you die.”“How can that be?” asked the black.“Because God says it,” answered Peter; “what He says must be true.”“In that book you read?” asked the black.“Yes, that book contains God’s messages and promises to man. It is through this alone, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, that we know anything about God. Without that we should be worshipping blocks of stone, just as Owen Bell was telling me the other day your countrymen do.”“Yes, and many other people in the world, and in the countries we are going to,” observed Emery. “But I can’t stop to listen longer; another day you tell me more of this.”Peter gladly promised that he would do so.To his surprise one evening, after he had cleaned up the pots and pans, the cook asked him to come and sit in the caboose, and begged him to read a chapter or two in the Bible. Peter did so, and explained it to the best of his power, and frequently after that he spent an hour in the evening in the same way.The ship had now rounded the Cape of Good Hope. The wind was fair, the weather continued fine. Peter had determined to try again to get Hixon to let him read to him. It seemed so sad that an old man should continue to refuse listening to God’s message of love. One Sunday he found him sitting by himself, as he usually did, stitching away on the sleeve of a jacket. Peter sat down near him and began to read to himself. Hixon eyed him, but not with that angry look which he generally cast when Peter was reading.“Would you like to hear some of it while you are at your work?” asked Peter at length.“Well, boy, as you are a good sort of chap after all, and axes me so often, I don’t mind hearing one of your yarns out of your book;though I don’t see how it can do me much good,” he replied, after a little time.This was all Peter wanted. He read the parable of the “Pharisee and Publican.”“Which of them do you like the best?” asked Peter.“Can’t say I care for that proud chap who thought himself better than anybody else. I like t’other more, a good deal.”“Because he says, ‘Lord, be merciful to me a sinner’?” asked Peter.“Ay,” said Hixon, bending down his head. He had for some time ceased to ply his needle.“Then do you know how God says He alone will be merciful?” Peter asked.“No, ’cept to them as be sorry for what they have done bad, and try to do better.”“Oh, no, no! God does not say that; Satan is always trying to make people believe it, because he well knows that if people try to make themselves better, trusting only in their own strength, they will fail. God says that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. By faith ye are saved.” And Peter, in his own simple way, went on to explain that Jesus Christ, by dying on the cross for our sins, has become our Saviour, and that if men will lovingly trust to Him, God will not punish them, but, on the contrary, will look on them as possessed of the righteousness of Christ.“That’s wonderful,” exclaimed old Hixon, after Peter had explained the truth in several ways to make him understand it. “I can hardly believe it; and yet I suppose if one chap deserved a thrashing from me, and a bigger one said, ‘Thrash me instead,’ and I did thrash him, and well too, I could not thrash the little one also.”Hixon continued silent for awhile and said nothing. He was evidently in deep thought, as though perplexed with something he was trying to make out, but could not understand.“But I suppose a chap must not go and do what he likes after that?” said old Hixon at length, eagerly fixing his eyes on Peter.“No. If he really loves Jesus, which he must do when he knows that Jesus suffered so much for his sake, and saved him from hell, he will try and be like Him and serve Him, and turn away from and hate his sins,” was Peter’s answer.“For my part, I don’t feel as how I could ever be good, and give up swearing, and getting in a rage, or drunk, too, if the liquor came in my way. I could only cry out—loud enough, too, like the man you were reading about—‘Lord, be merciful to me a sinner!’ and I don’t think God would hear such a wicked chap as I have been,” muttered the old man.“The Bible says that Jesus Christ came into the world to save the worst of people as well as the best; ‘I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ These are the words of Jesus Himself. God promises to hear all who come to Him. He says, ‘Knock, and it shall be opened unto you; seek, and ye shall find.’”“I will try and ask Him for what He knows I want,” said the old man. “And, Peter, just do you pray for me, and if you see me growing sulky, come and speak to me those words you spoke just now, ‘Jesus loves you.’ I don’t think I could stand hearing that and go on fighting against Him as I have been so long doing—though it’s wonderful! very wonderful!”Peter did not fail to do as Hixon asked him. He seldom had occasion to repeat the blessed announcement. The old man got into the habit of saying to himself whenever he found his anger rising, “Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me,” and his ill-feelings were subdued.How blessed would be the result if all who read this, and many more, too, were to act like that rough old sailor.
When little Peter read his Bible on a Sunday while other men were mending their clothes, or sleeping, or amusing themselves with old newspapers or story books, he was generally allowed to do so in peace, but he wished to study it on week-days, as well, convinced that it was intended to guide him in every affair of life. On each occasion that he was found doing so, however, he was sure to be interrupted. The other boys would play him all sorts of tricks, and the men would send him to perform some work or other, and if they could think of nothing else, would despatch him with a pretended message to the man at the helm. Simon Hixon was his greatest foe, and frequently as Peter passed gave him a blow with a rope’s-end.
One day as Peter was quietly reading his Bible in the berth, Hixon swore that if he found him again at it, he would throw the book overboard.
“It would be a great shame to do that,” answered Peter, “and I hope you won’t try. God would, I am sure, not allow you to go unpunished.”
“You see, youngster, if I am not as good as my word,” growled Hixon.
Peter prayed that the old seaman’s hard heart might be softened, and that he might be prevented committing such a crime.
“I don’t think if you read the book you would wish to destroy it,” said Peter. “It is full of such beautiful things, that you would like to read them over and over again if you were once to begin.”
“I can’t read, so there’s little chance of that,” said Hixon.
“But will you let me read them to you?” asked Peter. “I shall be very glad to do that.”
“What! when I have told you that I would heave the book overboard if I found you reading it?” said the old man.
“That makes no difference,” said Peter, “only just listen to one or two.”
“Not I. I don’t want to hear your yarns,” said Hixon, turning away.
Peter went on reading, and the old man did not further interfere with him.
The ship sailed on. When she was crossing the line the usual ceremonies were performed. Peter heard what was to take place, and, fearing that his Bible would get wet, hid it away carefully. He felt very anxious, however, lest any one should suspect what he had done, and look for it. He and the other young seamen who had not before crossed the line, were ducked, and had all sorts of tricks played on them by Neptune and his attendants. Peter took everything in good part, though he was nearly drowning in a sail triced up on deck and filled with water, when Owen Bell jumped in and pulled him out. He made his escape as soon as the amusements were over, and hurried to the berth to look for his book. To his great joy he found it safe, and immediately hung it again round his neck.
Some more weeks passed away. Hitherto Owen Bell, even on a Sunday, had always made some excuse for not reading with Peter. At length one hot Sunday, when the ship was becalmed in the tropics, and even Owen felt no inclination for sky-larking, Peter got him to sit down while most of the crew were asleep, or occupied in some of the few shady spots they could find. Peter, opening the book, read the account of the visit of Nicodemus to the Lord.
“He was a learned and important man, and yet you see he wanted to be taught, and the Lord did teach him. He showed him he was a sinner by nature, as all of us are, and that he must become a new creature.”
“I cannot understand how he could become that of his own accord,” said Bell. “It’s hard to tell a man to do what he cannot.”
“The Lord never did that,” said Peter, “when He told him that he ‘must be born again.’ He showed him clearly how it must be brought about. You remember what He said about the Israelites when bitten by serpents in the wilderness, and how they were cured immediately they looked on the brazen serpent, taking Moses at his word when he told them to do so. So if we only take God at His word, and look to Jesus on the cross suffering for and bearing our sins, we shall be forgiven, and through the power of the Holy Spirit be born again. What I am sure God wants us to do is to take Him at His word, to believe that He will do whatever He says; and Jesus Himself tells us that he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”
“What an old-fashioned little chap you are,” said Owen, laughing. “You talk like a book.”
“It seems all very clear to me, and I wish that it did to you, Bell.”
“Well, the truth is, that I have been such a bad fellow, and have so many sins to answer for, that I don’t fancy when God comes to count them up He can pardon me. Even when I seemed most careless and full of jokes, I have often had my heart pressed down with the recollection of all the bad things I have done.”
“But Jesus tells us in another place that ‘He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance,’ and when He says, ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,’ He means by ‘whosoever,’ everybody, good people and bad people.”
“But do you think if I was to try and please God and serve Him He would pardon me?” asked Bell.
“He doesn’t say that,” said Peter. “He promises to forgive only those who trust in Jesus Christ, because Jesus was punished instead of them, and if one person was punished instead of another He will not punish that other; it would be unjust to do that. Oh, Bell, why don’t you take God at His word, and believe on Jesus, and then you would be able to obey Him and serve Him, because He will send you the Holy Spirit to help you as He has promised?”
Much more to the same effect the young boy urged on his friend, while he read numerous portions of Scripture to him to prove his words.
The boys were now called off to their duty on board, and the conversation was interrupted. Owen seemed very quiet and serious; but he had no opportunity of speaking to Peter for some days. At last, when they were alone together again he said to him:
“I am sure you are right, Peter; I never before understood that Jesus died instead of me on account of my sins, and therefore if I believe on Him I shall be helped to overcome my sins, and shall not be punished for them, but shall go to heaven, and live with Him in happiness; I see it, and believe it now. The Bible is no new book to me, Peter, I have heard it read often and often at home, and have read it myself too, though I could not understand its meaning.”
After this, Owen Bell took every opportunity of reading with Peter, and as he was as strong as a man, and respected by the crew, no one interrupted them.
One evening they had been reading together, when Owen turned suddenly to Peter, and said:
“Do you think if I was to die to-night I should go to be with Jesus?”
“I know you would, for I am sure you believe on Him.”
“That I do, with all my heart and soul,” exclaimed Owen Bell. “And I wish that I could serve Him and make known His love to others. I feel it myself, and I have been trying to speak to Emery about it, and though he is little better than a heathen, he said he should like to know more about one so good and kind as Jesus must be who died to save others; and Bill, the cook, was ready to listen. I think, Peter, if you offered to read to them they would let you, and tell them all about the love of Jesus, as you told me, and I cannot but fancy that they would trust to Him as I have done. It will be a hard matter to get at the captain and mates; but I should not despair of them if they were to hear of the glorious things which the Gospel contains.”
Peter often afterwards recollected this conversation with Owen Bell.
That night he was aroused from his sleep by the cry of “All hands shorten sail!”
The men rushed on deck half-clothed, for they knew the summons admitted of no delay. In an instant they were flying aloft. A heavy squall had struck the ship, and she was heeling over, her masts bending like willow wands and threatening to go every instant. The sheets were let fly, but before the sails could be furled there came a crash, and the fore-topmast with its yard, to which several of the crew were clinging, was carried away. Their cries were heard as they struggled in the foaming waters under the lee, but no help could be rendered them. Away the ship flew. Every effort was made to clear the wreck and to furl the sails. Some time passed before it could be done. The gale continued to increase.
The captain stood back over the spot in the hopes of picking up some who might have clung to the spars. The names were called over. Among those who did not answer was Owen Bell.
“Poor fellow,” said several.
“A fine young lad,” said the captain, “I hope we may pick him up.”
Peter hoped so too; but he did not mourn for his friend as his shipmates did, for he was sure that if Owen Bell was drowned he had gone to be with the Master, who, though lately found, he had been brought truly to love.
The search was vain, the ship wore round and continued her course. Peter missed Owen Bell greatly. The rest of the men treated him, for his friend’s sake, perhaps, with less unkindness than before, and a more subdued tone was perceptible among them; even the captain and mates seemed to feel for the loss of the men, and fewer oaths were heard than usual.
Peter found an opportunity of speaking to Emery, the negro. “That just what Owen Bell say,” answered the steward; “If Jesus die for me, and love me, I ought to love Him.”
“Yes,” observed Peter, “but not only that; you must believe that He died to take away your sins, and that your sins are taken away; that God looks upon you as free from sin, and will receive you into heaven when you die.”
“How can that be?” asked the black.
“Because God says it,” answered Peter; “what He says must be true.”
“In that book you read?” asked the black.
“Yes, that book contains God’s messages and promises to man. It is through this alone, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, that we know anything about God. Without that we should be worshipping blocks of stone, just as Owen Bell was telling me the other day your countrymen do.”
“Yes, and many other people in the world, and in the countries we are going to,” observed Emery. “But I can’t stop to listen longer; another day you tell me more of this.”
Peter gladly promised that he would do so.
To his surprise one evening, after he had cleaned up the pots and pans, the cook asked him to come and sit in the caboose, and begged him to read a chapter or two in the Bible. Peter did so, and explained it to the best of his power, and frequently after that he spent an hour in the evening in the same way.
The ship had now rounded the Cape of Good Hope. The wind was fair, the weather continued fine. Peter had determined to try again to get Hixon to let him read to him. It seemed so sad that an old man should continue to refuse listening to God’s message of love. One Sunday he found him sitting by himself, as he usually did, stitching away on the sleeve of a jacket. Peter sat down near him and began to read to himself. Hixon eyed him, but not with that angry look which he generally cast when Peter was reading.
“Would you like to hear some of it while you are at your work?” asked Peter at length.
“Well, boy, as you are a good sort of chap after all, and axes me so often, I don’t mind hearing one of your yarns out of your book;though I don’t see how it can do me much good,” he replied, after a little time.
This was all Peter wanted. He read the parable of the “Pharisee and Publican.”
“Which of them do you like the best?” asked Peter.
“Can’t say I care for that proud chap who thought himself better than anybody else. I like t’other more, a good deal.”
“Because he says, ‘Lord, be merciful to me a sinner’?” asked Peter.
“Ay,” said Hixon, bending down his head. He had for some time ceased to ply his needle.
“Then do you know how God says He alone will be merciful?” Peter asked.
“No, ’cept to them as be sorry for what they have done bad, and try to do better.”
“Oh, no, no! God does not say that; Satan is always trying to make people believe it, because he well knows that if people try to make themselves better, trusting only in their own strength, they will fail. God says that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. By faith ye are saved.” And Peter, in his own simple way, went on to explain that Jesus Christ, by dying on the cross for our sins, has become our Saviour, and that if men will lovingly trust to Him, God will not punish them, but, on the contrary, will look on them as possessed of the righteousness of Christ.
“That’s wonderful,” exclaimed old Hixon, after Peter had explained the truth in several ways to make him understand it. “I can hardly believe it; and yet I suppose if one chap deserved a thrashing from me, and a bigger one said, ‘Thrash me instead,’ and I did thrash him, and well too, I could not thrash the little one also.”
Hixon continued silent for awhile and said nothing. He was evidently in deep thought, as though perplexed with something he was trying to make out, but could not understand.
“But I suppose a chap must not go and do what he likes after that?” said old Hixon at length, eagerly fixing his eyes on Peter.
“No. If he really loves Jesus, which he must do when he knows that Jesus suffered so much for his sake, and saved him from hell, he will try and be like Him and serve Him, and turn away from and hate his sins,” was Peter’s answer.
“For my part, I don’t feel as how I could ever be good, and give up swearing, and getting in a rage, or drunk, too, if the liquor came in my way. I could only cry out—loud enough, too, like the man you were reading about—‘Lord, be merciful to me a sinner!’ and I don’t think God would hear such a wicked chap as I have been,” muttered the old man.
“The Bible says that Jesus Christ came into the world to save the worst of people as well as the best; ‘I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ These are the words of Jesus Himself. God promises to hear all who come to Him. He says, ‘Knock, and it shall be opened unto you; seek, and ye shall find.’”
“I will try and ask Him for what He knows I want,” said the old man. “And, Peter, just do you pray for me, and if you see me growing sulky, come and speak to me those words you spoke just now, ‘Jesus loves you.’ I don’t think I could stand hearing that and go on fighting against Him as I have been so long doing—though it’s wonderful! very wonderful!”
Peter did not fail to do as Hixon asked him. He seldom had occasion to repeat the blessed announcement. The old man got into the habit of saying to himself whenever he found his anger rising, “Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me,” and his ill-feelings were subdued.
How blessed would be the result if all who read this, and many more, too, were to act like that rough old sailor.
Chapter Six.Saved from the Wreck.With the exception of the gale spoken of in the last chapter, thePrimrosehad enjoyed fine weather for the greater part of the passage. But dark, heavy clouds now rolled across the sky; the wind blew fiercely, and the seas rose up in mountainous billows, such as Peter had never before beheld. The wind, however, was fair, and with her after-sails furled, and closely-reefed topsails only set, the ship flew on before it. As Peter stood on deck he watched sea after sea rolling up astern and threatening to break on board, but with a loud roar, just as they reached her, their foaming summits came hissing down, and she glided up the side of a huge billow ahead. For an instant she seemed to hang on the top of the watery ridge, and then slid down into another valley, up the opposite side of which she climbed as before.She had thus run for some distance when the wind dropped, and she lay rolling in the trough of the still heavy sea. The sky overhead was dark and lowering, a drizzling rain fell, and the air was oppressive. The captain and officers looked anxious. They had cause to be so, for suddenly the wind again rose, now blowing from one quarter, now from another, and all hands were kept on deck ready to brace round the yards as might be required. For several days no observation had been taken, and old Hixon told Peter that he feared the ship had been driven considerably out of her course.“Will the captain soon be able to get an observation to steer the right way?” asked Peter.“If the sky clears he may, but I have known it to remain like this for days and weeks together, and though Captain Hauslar is as good a seamen as I should wish to sail with, he may be out in his reckoning, and there are some ugly rocks and shoals to the eastward, which on a dark night it is a hard matter to see till one is right upon them,” answered old Hixon.After the ship had been knocking about for some days, the wind again came fair, though somewhat strong, and the captain, anxious to make up for the long delay, and hoping to escape all dangers, with the ship under moderate canvas steered to the eastward, ordering a bright look-out to be kept. The middle watch had been called, and the fresh look-outs, rubbing their eyes, had just gone to their posts. It was Hixon’s turn at the wheel. Peter, who was in the same watch, followed him aft, for the old man had undertaken to give him lessons in steering. As he stood by his side he frequently quoted passages of Scripture from his Bible, and sometimes, by the light of the binnacle lamp, he referred to the book, and read long portions.Hixon having just received the course from the man he relieved had taken hold of the spokes, when there came a sharp cry from the look-out forward, of “Breakers ahead!” followed quickly by “Land! land!”“Down with the helm!” shouted the officer of the watch. “All hands on deck; brace up the yards!”Almost before the ship’s course could be altered, a fearful blow was felt, which made the masts quiver and the ship tremble from stem to stern—another and another followed. The sea dashed up wildly over her, throwing her on her beam ends; then came a fearful crash, and the tall masts fell over her side towards the dark rocks which rose close to her. The captain and all below had rushed on deck. Awakened suddenly out of their sleep they stood aghast, expecting instant death. Some seemed to have lost their senses and cried wildly for help. The captain took his post by the companion-hatch, gazing around and considering what orders to issue.Hixon, when he found that all hope of the ship moving off the rock was gone, quitted the helm, and seizing Peter dragged him to the weather bulwarks. The next instant loud shrieks were heard. A tremendous sea washing across the deck had carried several of the crew overboard, sweeping some away as it receded, and dashing others against the rocks. The stern, which had been driven furthest in, afforded the most secure place. The captain shouted to the crew to come aft; some heard him, but the roaring of the breakers drowned his voice. Sea after sea struck the devoted ship, and the crashing sound which followed each blow showed that she was breaking up. Still the darkness was so great, and so fiercely did the waters rage between the ship and the shore, that destruction appeared to await any who might attempt to reach it. Already the stern of the ship was quivering under the blows of the fierce seas.“Hold on where you are, Peter,” said Hixon; “I will try if there’s any way of getting on shore.”“But you may be washed off,” said Peter.“My life is worth little,” said the old man, “I am not afraid to die now, and I may, if I succeed, help to save others.”Fastening a rope round his waist which he secured to a ring-bolt in the deck, he struggled to the side of the ship nearest the shore. Peter could no longer distinguish him.The captain was standing still, undecided what to do, with the third-mate and five or six seamen who had succeeded in getting aft, when old Hixon was seen making his way along the deck from amid the mass of wreck which cumbered it.“The foot of the mainmast still hangs to the ship and the head rests on a rock,” he said; “what is beyond I cannot tell, it may be water or it may be land, but the sea does not break over it; it is our only chance if we can manage to reach it.”“Well, lads, we had better follow old Hixon’s advice,” said the captain. “Those who wish it can go.”The mate and the other men hung back.“Come, Peter,” said Hixon, “you and I will set the example then. To my mind the ship won’t hold together many minutes longer; and if we succeed, as I think we shall, they will follow if there’s time. I’ll go sir,” he cried to the captain, and grasping Peter, he led him along, holding on to the rope. They reached the mast, when Peter, keeping close to his companion, scrambled up it. Alone he felt that he might have been unable to succeed, but supported by his old friend he made his way along the mast, which all the time was swayed up and down by the movement of the ship. He feared lest it should be hurled from its position, and the rest might be unable to escape by it.They gained a rugged rock of some extent, but the water washed round them and the spray occasionally flew over their heads. They were still at a distance from the mainland, but for the moment safer than on board the ship. They shouted as loud as they could to induce the rest to follow them. Every instant they feared that the mast would give way. Again and again they shouted. At last they caught sight of some one moving along the mast. He reached them, and it proved to be Emery, the black steward.“Are the rest coming?” asked Peter eagerly.“Hope so; captain tell us to come first,” was the answer; and soon afterwards Bill the cook made his way to the rock. They all shouted together to give notice of their safe passage. At length several seamen were seen creeping along the mast, one after the other, as fast as they could move.“The ship is breaking up fast!” said one of them; “and if the skipper don’t make haste he will be lost.”“Oh, I wish you had all come at once!” cried Peter. “I’ll go back and hasten him.”“No, no, boy; you will lose your life if you do!” said Hixon. “It’s his own fault if he delays.”“That is no reason why we should not try to get him to come,” said Peter.“You are right, boy,” cried Hixon, “but if any one goes, I’ll go.”Hixon was just getting on the mast, when he exclaimed that the skipper and mate were coming along it. At that moment the end of the mast began to rise. Hixon threw himself off it.“Stand clear of the rigging,” cried several voices. The mast moved more rapidly, the end lifting up in the air, then with a crash came down on the rock, against which it was at once violently dashed by a sea which broke over the wreck. One of the poor fellows who had escaped was dragged off into the seething waters.“The captain is gone,” cried several voices.“I see a man close at hand,” said Peter. “Will any one pass a rope round my waist? I am sure I could clutch him.”There were several ropes scattered about the rock. Old Hixon did not hear Peter, but two or three of the other men did. One of them fastened a rope as he requested. While they held on, Peter sprung off from the rock into the water close to where the person he saw was floating. He clutched him tightly. The next sea which came roaring up would have clashed him against the rock, and his burden must have been torn from him had not his companions, roused by the example set by the young boy, whom they had been in the habit of laughing at, rushed forward and dragged them both up together.“It is the captain,” cried one. “But I am afraid he is gone,” exclaimed another.“No! I trust he is still alive,” said Peter, sitting down by the captain’s side, and taking his head on his lap. “He is breathing; he will come to, I hope.”Peter rubbed the captain’s chest while the steward and Bill moved his arms gently up and down. He uttered a groan; it showed that he was in pain, and had been injured against the rocks, but it was an encouraging sign. They persevered, and at length the captain spoke in a low voice, asking where he was.“You are safe on a rock,” answered Emery. “We shall know better when sun rise.”Just then a voice was heard at no great distance, shouting.Hixon hailed in return, “Where are you?”“On an island of some sort,” was the answer. “Many more saved?”Hixon replied that the captain and ten men had escaped.Although the channel between the rock and the land might be deep, with the help of a man on the latter, if a rope could be passed to him, they might all cross in safety.They waited anxiously till daylight. The wind had gone down by that time, and the sea was much calmer. A rocky island of some height rose before them, but as the sea rushed in and out in the intervening space, even a good swimmer might have hesitated to cross.The larger portion of their gallant ship had disappeared, but the afterpart still remained entire.Several lengths of rope were cut from the rigging of the mainmast, which had been thrown back on the rock. They were eager to get across, for they had no food and no water on the rock. Several attempts were made to heave a rope to the man on the island, but in vain, the distance was too great. At length a short piece of a spar was fastened to the end of the signal halyards. How eagerly it was watched, as it floated now in one direction, now in another; gradually it drew out the line; it was hoped that it might be drifted by some surge towards the man, who was eagerly on the watch to catch it.“We must not despair,” said Peter to Hixon, who had come to see how the captain was getting on. “If we pray that God will send the spar to shore He is certain to hear us, and He will do it if He thinks fit.”“What you say is true, I know,” observed the old man; and together they knelt and prayed that a way to serve them might be found.The captain, who had returned to consciousness, looked at them with astonishment, but said nothing. In a short time a shout came from the men who held the line on the inner side of the rock that the spar had reached the shore, and that Tom had hold of it. A stronger rope was soon hauled across, and then one which could bear the weight of two or three people at a time, if necessary. That was secured between the rock and the mainland. First one man made his way along it, then another and another, and all were going, with the exception of Emery and Bill, who, with Peter and old Hixon, stayed by the captain. The latter, seeing this, cried out, “Shame, lads; would you desert the captain when he is unable to help himself?” The men, however, did not heed him: they were eager to get hold of a cask of provisions which, with another of water, Tom told them had been thrown up on the island. The news made even Emery and Bill inclined to go.“Go, if you wish it,” said the captain; “only come back and bring me some water, for I am fearfully thirsty.”This made the men no longer hesitate. Peter sat still.“Are you not going?” asked the captain.“I could not leave you, sir, while you are suffering,” said Peter.“But you want food and water as much as they do,” said the captain.“They will bring it to me, sir,” answered Peter.Notwithstanding what the captain said, neither Peter nor old Hixon would leave him. The latter was busily hauling pieces of planking and rope. Having collected enough for his purpose, he set to work to manufacture a cradle sufficiently large to contain the captain. Having arranged his plan he shouted to the other men to come and assist him. Two only, however, responded, Bill and the black; the remainder were wandering along the shore, looking out for whatever might be washed up. The black set the example. Bill followed him back to the rock, but they brought only a small piece of salted tongue and some biscuits, almost soaked through, but no water. The captain could only taste a very little, but there was enough to satisfy Hixon’s and Peter’s appetites. In vain the poor captain cried out for water—nothing had been found to carry it in.“The more reason we should make haste with the cradle,” observed Hixon.It was at length placed on the rope, with a line attached, which Bill carried across. Peter volunteered to go in it, and safely passed over. It was then hauled back, and the captain was drawn across. Hixon and the black followed. By this time the rest of the men had disappeared. The captain was soon sufficiently revived by the water which had been obtained to look about him. He told his companions that he believed they were on one of the many wild rocky islets which exist in that part of the ocean, and that they must carefully husband the water, as possibly no spring might be found.As the captain wished to ascertain whether his surmises were correct, Peter volunteered to climb to the summit of the height above them. It was fatiguing and very dangerous work, but he succeeded at length. On looking around him, he found that they were nearly at one end of a rocky island, which extended for three or four miles to the eastward. Not a tree, or scarcely a shrub, was to be seen. In every direction all was desolation and barrenness. He returned, not without difficulty.“I thought I was right,” said the captain. “You must do your best, my men, to collect all you can from the wreck; we shall need it; and, Gray, I have a word to say to you. You saved my life, I am told; if we ever get away from this, I will prove your friend.”“I only did my duty, sir,” said Peter. “I thought I could save you, and God helped me.”“You seem to have great trust in God.”“Yes, sir,” said Peter. “He is a very present help in time of trouble, and we all have reason to trust Him.”“I have never done so before,” whispered the captain; “but I will try in future.”In the meantime the other three men were collecting fragments of sails and spars, pieces of rope, and several things which formed part of the cargo, a bale of cloth and another of clothing—the latter was especially acceptable to all the party, who, with the exception of Hixon and Peter, had little on when they left the ship; but of still greater value was a cask of biscuits, another of herrings, and a few pieces of pork. What the rest of the crew might have discovered they could not tell.As the captain could not move, a hut was built of the pieces of sail and spars, and a bed having been made up beneath it with some dry grass and a piece of canvas for the captain to lie on, he and his companions prepared to pass the first night of their sojourn on the desolate rock.
With the exception of the gale spoken of in the last chapter, thePrimrosehad enjoyed fine weather for the greater part of the passage. But dark, heavy clouds now rolled across the sky; the wind blew fiercely, and the seas rose up in mountainous billows, such as Peter had never before beheld. The wind, however, was fair, and with her after-sails furled, and closely-reefed topsails only set, the ship flew on before it. As Peter stood on deck he watched sea after sea rolling up astern and threatening to break on board, but with a loud roar, just as they reached her, their foaming summits came hissing down, and she glided up the side of a huge billow ahead. For an instant she seemed to hang on the top of the watery ridge, and then slid down into another valley, up the opposite side of which she climbed as before.
She had thus run for some distance when the wind dropped, and she lay rolling in the trough of the still heavy sea. The sky overhead was dark and lowering, a drizzling rain fell, and the air was oppressive. The captain and officers looked anxious. They had cause to be so, for suddenly the wind again rose, now blowing from one quarter, now from another, and all hands were kept on deck ready to brace round the yards as might be required. For several days no observation had been taken, and old Hixon told Peter that he feared the ship had been driven considerably out of her course.
“Will the captain soon be able to get an observation to steer the right way?” asked Peter.
“If the sky clears he may, but I have known it to remain like this for days and weeks together, and though Captain Hauslar is as good a seamen as I should wish to sail with, he may be out in his reckoning, and there are some ugly rocks and shoals to the eastward, which on a dark night it is a hard matter to see till one is right upon them,” answered old Hixon.
After the ship had been knocking about for some days, the wind again came fair, though somewhat strong, and the captain, anxious to make up for the long delay, and hoping to escape all dangers, with the ship under moderate canvas steered to the eastward, ordering a bright look-out to be kept. The middle watch had been called, and the fresh look-outs, rubbing their eyes, had just gone to their posts. It was Hixon’s turn at the wheel. Peter, who was in the same watch, followed him aft, for the old man had undertaken to give him lessons in steering. As he stood by his side he frequently quoted passages of Scripture from his Bible, and sometimes, by the light of the binnacle lamp, he referred to the book, and read long portions.
Hixon having just received the course from the man he relieved had taken hold of the spokes, when there came a sharp cry from the look-out forward, of “Breakers ahead!” followed quickly by “Land! land!”
“Down with the helm!” shouted the officer of the watch. “All hands on deck; brace up the yards!”
Almost before the ship’s course could be altered, a fearful blow was felt, which made the masts quiver and the ship tremble from stem to stern—another and another followed. The sea dashed up wildly over her, throwing her on her beam ends; then came a fearful crash, and the tall masts fell over her side towards the dark rocks which rose close to her. The captain and all below had rushed on deck. Awakened suddenly out of their sleep they stood aghast, expecting instant death. Some seemed to have lost their senses and cried wildly for help. The captain took his post by the companion-hatch, gazing around and considering what orders to issue.
Hixon, when he found that all hope of the ship moving off the rock was gone, quitted the helm, and seizing Peter dragged him to the weather bulwarks. The next instant loud shrieks were heard. A tremendous sea washing across the deck had carried several of the crew overboard, sweeping some away as it receded, and dashing others against the rocks. The stern, which had been driven furthest in, afforded the most secure place. The captain shouted to the crew to come aft; some heard him, but the roaring of the breakers drowned his voice. Sea after sea struck the devoted ship, and the crashing sound which followed each blow showed that she was breaking up. Still the darkness was so great, and so fiercely did the waters rage between the ship and the shore, that destruction appeared to await any who might attempt to reach it. Already the stern of the ship was quivering under the blows of the fierce seas.
“Hold on where you are, Peter,” said Hixon; “I will try if there’s any way of getting on shore.”
“But you may be washed off,” said Peter.
“My life is worth little,” said the old man, “I am not afraid to die now, and I may, if I succeed, help to save others.”
Fastening a rope round his waist which he secured to a ring-bolt in the deck, he struggled to the side of the ship nearest the shore. Peter could no longer distinguish him.
The captain was standing still, undecided what to do, with the third-mate and five or six seamen who had succeeded in getting aft, when old Hixon was seen making his way along the deck from amid the mass of wreck which cumbered it.
“The foot of the mainmast still hangs to the ship and the head rests on a rock,” he said; “what is beyond I cannot tell, it may be water or it may be land, but the sea does not break over it; it is our only chance if we can manage to reach it.”
“Well, lads, we had better follow old Hixon’s advice,” said the captain. “Those who wish it can go.”
The mate and the other men hung back.
“Come, Peter,” said Hixon, “you and I will set the example then. To my mind the ship won’t hold together many minutes longer; and if we succeed, as I think we shall, they will follow if there’s time. I’ll go sir,” he cried to the captain, and grasping Peter, he led him along, holding on to the rope. They reached the mast, when Peter, keeping close to his companion, scrambled up it. Alone he felt that he might have been unable to succeed, but supported by his old friend he made his way along the mast, which all the time was swayed up and down by the movement of the ship. He feared lest it should be hurled from its position, and the rest might be unable to escape by it.
They gained a rugged rock of some extent, but the water washed round them and the spray occasionally flew over their heads. They were still at a distance from the mainland, but for the moment safer than on board the ship. They shouted as loud as they could to induce the rest to follow them. Every instant they feared that the mast would give way. Again and again they shouted. At last they caught sight of some one moving along the mast. He reached them, and it proved to be Emery, the black steward.
“Are the rest coming?” asked Peter eagerly.
“Hope so; captain tell us to come first,” was the answer; and soon afterwards Bill the cook made his way to the rock. They all shouted together to give notice of their safe passage. At length several seamen were seen creeping along the mast, one after the other, as fast as they could move.
“The ship is breaking up fast!” said one of them; “and if the skipper don’t make haste he will be lost.”
“Oh, I wish you had all come at once!” cried Peter. “I’ll go back and hasten him.”
“No, no, boy; you will lose your life if you do!” said Hixon. “It’s his own fault if he delays.”
“That is no reason why we should not try to get him to come,” said Peter.
“You are right, boy,” cried Hixon, “but if any one goes, I’ll go.”
Hixon was just getting on the mast, when he exclaimed that the skipper and mate were coming along it. At that moment the end of the mast began to rise. Hixon threw himself off it.
“Stand clear of the rigging,” cried several voices. The mast moved more rapidly, the end lifting up in the air, then with a crash came down on the rock, against which it was at once violently dashed by a sea which broke over the wreck. One of the poor fellows who had escaped was dragged off into the seething waters.
“The captain is gone,” cried several voices.
“I see a man close at hand,” said Peter. “Will any one pass a rope round my waist? I am sure I could clutch him.”
There were several ropes scattered about the rock. Old Hixon did not hear Peter, but two or three of the other men did. One of them fastened a rope as he requested. While they held on, Peter sprung off from the rock into the water close to where the person he saw was floating. He clutched him tightly. The next sea which came roaring up would have clashed him against the rock, and his burden must have been torn from him had not his companions, roused by the example set by the young boy, whom they had been in the habit of laughing at, rushed forward and dragged them both up together.
“It is the captain,” cried one. “But I am afraid he is gone,” exclaimed another.
“No! I trust he is still alive,” said Peter, sitting down by the captain’s side, and taking his head on his lap. “He is breathing; he will come to, I hope.”
Peter rubbed the captain’s chest while the steward and Bill moved his arms gently up and down. He uttered a groan; it showed that he was in pain, and had been injured against the rocks, but it was an encouraging sign. They persevered, and at length the captain spoke in a low voice, asking where he was.
“You are safe on a rock,” answered Emery. “We shall know better when sun rise.”
Just then a voice was heard at no great distance, shouting.
Hixon hailed in return, “Where are you?”
“On an island of some sort,” was the answer. “Many more saved?”
Hixon replied that the captain and ten men had escaped.
Although the channel between the rock and the land might be deep, with the help of a man on the latter, if a rope could be passed to him, they might all cross in safety.
They waited anxiously till daylight. The wind had gone down by that time, and the sea was much calmer. A rocky island of some height rose before them, but as the sea rushed in and out in the intervening space, even a good swimmer might have hesitated to cross.
The larger portion of their gallant ship had disappeared, but the afterpart still remained entire.
Several lengths of rope were cut from the rigging of the mainmast, which had been thrown back on the rock. They were eager to get across, for they had no food and no water on the rock. Several attempts were made to heave a rope to the man on the island, but in vain, the distance was too great. At length a short piece of a spar was fastened to the end of the signal halyards. How eagerly it was watched, as it floated now in one direction, now in another; gradually it drew out the line; it was hoped that it might be drifted by some surge towards the man, who was eagerly on the watch to catch it.
“We must not despair,” said Peter to Hixon, who had come to see how the captain was getting on. “If we pray that God will send the spar to shore He is certain to hear us, and He will do it if He thinks fit.”
“What you say is true, I know,” observed the old man; and together they knelt and prayed that a way to serve them might be found.
The captain, who had returned to consciousness, looked at them with astonishment, but said nothing. In a short time a shout came from the men who held the line on the inner side of the rock that the spar had reached the shore, and that Tom had hold of it. A stronger rope was soon hauled across, and then one which could bear the weight of two or three people at a time, if necessary. That was secured between the rock and the mainland. First one man made his way along it, then another and another, and all were going, with the exception of Emery and Bill, who, with Peter and old Hixon, stayed by the captain. The latter, seeing this, cried out, “Shame, lads; would you desert the captain when he is unable to help himself?” The men, however, did not heed him: they were eager to get hold of a cask of provisions which, with another of water, Tom told them had been thrown up on the island. The news made even Emery and Bill inclined to go.
“Go, if you wish it,” said the captain; “only come back and bring me some water, for I am fearfully thirsty.”
This made the men no longer hesitate. Peter sat still.
“Are you not going?” asked the captain.
“I could not leave you, sir, while you are suffering,” said Peter.
“But you want food and water as much as they do,” said the captain.
“They will bring it to me, sir,” answered Peter.
Notwithstanding what the captain said, neither Peter nor old Hixon would leave him. The latter was busily hauling pieces of planking and rope. Having collected enough for his purpose, he set to work to manufacture a cradle sufficiently large to contain the captain. Having arranged his plan he shouted to the other men to come and assist him. Two only, however, responded, Bill and the black; the remainder were wandering along the shore, looking out for whatever might be washed up. The black set the example. Bill followed him back to the rock, but they brought only a small piece of salted tongue and some biscuits, almost soaked through, but no water. The captain could only taste a very little, but there was enough to satisfy Hixon’s and Peter’s appetites. In vain the poor captain cried out for water—nothing had been found to carry it in.
“The more reason we should make haste with the cradle,” observed Hixon.
It was at length placed on the rope, with a line attached, which Bill carried across. Peter volunteered to go in it, and safely passed over. It was then hauled back, and the captain was drawn across. Hixon and the black followed. By this time the rest of the men had disappeared. The captain was soon sufficiently revived by the water which had been obtained to look about him. He told his companions that he believed they were on one of the many wild rocky islets which exist in that part of the ocean, and that they must carefully husband the water, as possibly no spring might be found.
As the captain wished to ascertain whether his surmises were correct, Peter volunteered to climb to the summit of the height above them. It was fatiguing and very dangerous work, but he succeeded at length. On looking around him, he found that they were nearly at one end of a rocky island, which extended for three or four miles to the eastward. Not a tree, or scarcely a shrub, was to be seen. In every direction all was desolation and barrenness. He returned, not without difficulty.
“I thought I was right,” said the captain. “You must do your best, my men, to collect all you can from the wreck; we shall need it; and, Gray, I have a word to say to you. You saved my life, I am told; if we ever get away from this, I will prove your friend.”
“I only did my duty, sir,” said Peter. “I thought I could save you, and God helped me.”
“You seem to have great trust in God.”
“Yes, sir,” said Peter. “He is a very present help in time of trouble, and we all have reason to trust Him.”
“I have never done so before,” whispered the captain; “but I will try in future.”
In the meantime the other three men were collecting fragments of sails and spars, pieces of rope, and several things which formed part of the cargo, a bale of cloth and another of clothing—the latter was especially acceptable to all the party, who, with the exception of Hixon and Peter, had little on when they left the ship; but of still greater value was a cask of biscuits, another of herrings, and a few pieces of pork. What the rest of the crew might have discovered they could not tell.
As the captain could not move, a hut was built of the pieces of sail and spars, and a bed having been made up beneath it with some dry grass and a piece of canvas for the captain to lie on, he and his companions prepared to pass the first night of their sojourn on the desolate rock.
Chapter Seven.Life on the Rock.When morning broke the gale had entirely ceased, but no part of the ship hung together, and all hope of obtaining any provisions from her, except such as might be washed up on the shore, was lost. The captain’s condition also caused his companions much anxiety; he was suffering greatly, and appeared to be weaker than on the previous day. They had breakfasted on a small portion of biscuit and tongue, but their scanty supply of water was almost exhausted at their first meal. Peter gave the captain the larger part of his share, and having drunk a little himself, entreated that the remainder might be reserved for him, as he complained greatly of thirst.None of the rest of the crew had returned. Peter offered to stay by the captain if the three other men would go in search of them, and ascertain whether any water was to be found.“If we are to live we must do so,” said Hixon; “come along, mates; I know Peter will look after the captain,” and they set off.After Peter had moistened the captain’s lips, and made his bed as comfortable as he could, he said, “Shall I read to you, sir?”“What have you got to read? How can you have any books here?” asked the captain.Peter drew his Bible out of the canvas slung round his neck, and showed it to the captain. The cover, of course, was drenched with sea-water, but the inside was quite dry.“Yes, you may,” was the answer; “when a man is sick as I am it is a good book to listen to, and I am fit for nothing else.”Peter made no reply, but began to read. He came to the account of Lazarus and the rich man.“What does Abraham’s bosom mean?” asked the captain.“Heaven, sir,” answered Peter; “it must be a glorious place, for Christ has gone before to prepare it for those who love Him.”“I hope when I die I shall go there,” murmured the captain, more to himself than Peter; “I have not been a bad man, or done much harm to any one, and have tried to do my duty, and have never got drunk at sea; and I hope I have done some good in my time, so I should think God would let me into heaven.”Peter prayed that he might give a right answer. “God says, sir, in His book, that ‘there is none that doeth good, no, not one,’ and that ‘He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ The rich man we have been reading about does not seem to have done much harm, and very likely he thought himself pretty good, and yet he went to hell.”“Then how is a man ever to get to heaven?” asked the captain, somewhat petulantly.“God says, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.’ He wants us to take Him at His word. He tells us that our own good deeds are as filthy rags, and that we must trust to the sacrifice of Christ, to His blood shed for us; and thus we shall be clothed with His righteousness, with His pure and spotless robe; and so God will not look upon our iniquities, because He has accepted Christ’s punishment instead of what we deserved, and we shall therefore not be punished.”Thus Peter continued to place the loving Gospel before his captain. The latter listened, often asking some more questions. At last he put his hands before his eyes, and murmured, “It’s wonderful that a mere boy should know all this, and be able to explain it so clearly. It’s true; yes, I am sure of that.”“Let us pray, sir, that God’s Holy Spirit will bring it home to your heart,” said Peter, as if the remark had been made to him. “God has said we shall not ask in vain.”The captain’s eye brightened; a new hope, new thoughts and feelings, rose in his bosom.Peter again turned to his book. He read many portions, the captain appearing in no way wearied.He was so employed when a shout reached their ears, and Peter, going out of the tent, saw old Hixon making his way down the rocks. He brought his sou’-wester full of water.“Praised be God, we have found a spring two miles off. There was nothing else to bring it in but this,” he said, offering the water to the captain and Peter. “The rest of the men collected near it, but when I told them that they ought to come and help to carry you up the hill, captain, they said they were free now, and didn’t acknowledge any man’s authority.”“I should have thought, Hixon, from what I know of you, that you would have been among them,” observed the captain.“So I should, sir, a few weeks ago, but Peter there, out of his Bible, showed me what a sinner I was, and how I must love Jesus Christ and obey Him, and I know He would not have left any man to perish, and so, sir, as long as you live—and I hope we shall escape from this rock—I will not leave you.”“Thank you, Hixon,” said the captain; “I am sure you speak the truth. But what has become of Emery and Bill?”“They said they would stop and have some food, and then come back and try and get you up to the spring, which is a warmer and pleasanter place than this.”In a short time the other men appeared, but the captain felt so much pain when they attempted to move him, that he begged them to let him remain where he was.“I am afraid, sir, they will soon have eaten up all their provisions, and then they will be coming down to get what we have collected,” observed Bill. “Perhaps, if you are among them, you might persuade them to put themselves on an allowance.”The captain sent a message by Hixon, but the men only laughed at him, and replied that a ship was sure soon to appear, and take them off, though they took no pains to make their situation known. The captain, however, told Hixon and the rest to form a flag-staff out of the spars which had been cast ashore, and to erect it on the highest point with a piece of the cloth which they had found, as a flag. They did so.Day after day passed by, and though one or the other was constantly on the look-out, no distant sail met their anxious gaze.Peter was thankful that the captain appeared to be slowly recovering his strength, though still unable to move. By husbanding their provisions, the little party on the shore hoped to support existence for some weeks to come.When Hixon arrived one day with their usual supply of water, he brought word that the rest of the crew had deserted the spring and were nowhere to be seen. He thought probably that they had gone down to the shore to try and catch fish, or collect mussels, or anything that might have been thrown up. He and his companions were searching about for the same object, that they might eke out the diminishing store of their more nutritive food, and give the captain a larger supply. Peter, when not thus employed, read to the captain, as also to the other men, and Bill and the black were well pleased to listen, as were the captain and Hixon. Indeed, the light of God’s blessed truth shone on the small shipwrecked party, and shed on them its warmth and healing influence. It never occurred to young Peter to pride himself that the light shone from the lamp he carried within him.The weather had again changed, and instead of a balmy breeze and sunshine, a fierce gale was blowing, and heavy showers came down upon their heads.They were sitting beneath the shelter of their tent, while Peter was reading to them, when voices were heard, and several of the crew appeared. They looked wretched, and nearly starved.“Hilloa!” cried one of them, seeing the cask of provisions near the entrance of the hut. “What, have you still got food? We thought that you must be as badly off as we are.”The rest came up, and though the captain, with his friends, expostulated, and promised to give the men a small portion, they took possession of more than half of the remaining provisions. With the supply of food they had thus obtained, they returned to their former camp near the spring. The captain was deeply grieved.“It would have killed me with rage a short time ago, but I feel more sorry for them now; and I am afraid the food will only prolong their lives a day or two, while the want of it may shorten ours.”As was to be expected, in a couple of days they returned for more. Bill proposed fighting as he saw them coming, rather than give it up.“It would only make matters worse,” observed the captain, “as they would be sure to overpower us. We must trust that God will find some way for our escape.”The captain told Bill to give to each of them the same rations which they allowed for themselves, though it was not more than just sufficient to support life. Each day they came for their allowance, but still did not offer to assist in removing the captain. Hixon and the rest were very indignant.The captain, however, quieted them, and insisted upon the provisions being equally shared amongst all the survivors from the shipwrecked crew.At length, although their allowance had been still further reduced, no biscuits nor meat remained. A few herrings and some cabbages which had been washed up, and were wellnigh rotten, were the only articles of food they still had. Bill, however, came back with some birds’ eggs and he thought that soon more might be obtained should the weather clear, and the birds visit the island in greater numbers.Peter had, with the rest, taken his turn in watching by the flag-staff. He was casting his eyes around when they fell on the sails of a vessel just rising above the horizon. He watched her eagerly—she was drawing near. He ran down the hill to give the joyful intelligence to his friends. They quickly returned with him, the captain telling them to leave him alone, as he felt quite well enough to remain by himself. Each man carried a bundle of drift-wood, some dry grass, or branches from the numerous low bushes they found in sheltered spots, to assist in lighting a beacon, should the vessel not draw near till nightfall. A tinder-box had enabled the other party to obtain a light. Bill went for it. When he told them of the ship being seen, they would not believe him.“Get up and have a look at her,” he answered.One of them did so. On being convinced, some showed their satisfaction by leaping about and shouting, others growled out that she would not come near the land, but none thought of praying that she might be directed towards them, or showed any gratitude at the prospect of deliverance.On came the ship, but as she neared the island the shades of evening concealed her from sight. The beacon was immediately lighted, but they had to remain all night in the uncertainty whether it had been seen.How anxiously they waited for the return of morning, and how eagerly they cast their straining eyes in the direction she had last appeared as daylight broke on the world of waters. As the light increased, she was seen standing for the island. A shout rose from their throats, but they themselves were startled by the hollowness of the sound.The wind had been increasing. As she drew near, it raged furiously, and a heavy surf beat everywhere on the shore. With sinking hearts, they saw the ship haul her wind, and again stand off the dangerous rock.“We are deserted,” cried several voices, and loud complaints were made of the stranger’s indifference to their sufferings. They watched till she was lost to sight, and most of them declared she would not return.“If he is a Christian man I am sure he will,” said Peter, who had been sent up by the captain to ascertain how things stood. He returned with his report.“Don’t be down-hearted, sir; God, you know, will take care of us. And even if that ship sails away, He can send another,” said Peter.The flag was kept flying all day, and the beacon fire lighted again at night.A few herrings and some almost rotten cabbages now alone remained; starvation threatened to overtake the shipwrecked mariners. Most of the crew gave way to despair. One or two had become almost delirious from hunger and talked of rushing into the sea and drowning themselves.“If you do, mates, you will go into the presence of God Almighty with another great sin unrepented of on your heads, besides those you have already committed,” said old Hixon. “Let us pray to God to help and deliver us; we have no other hope.”His words had great effect among his late shipmates; for some time they were far more orderly and quiet than they had been hitherto.Another day passed and the gale continued blowing furiously, and the stranger did not re-appear. Again they were on the look-out. At daybreak she was not to be seen; the wind, however, had abated. As the day drew on, Peter, who was on the look-out, caught sight of a small speck in the south-east; it grew larger and larger.“The ship; the ship!” he shouted out. The cry was taken up by those scattered about on the rock, and passed on from one to the other. They hurried away along the island in the direction she was seen. Peter waited till he was sure there could be no mistake, and then hastened down to the captain, feeling that the good news would cheer him up. Bill and the black steward were on the opposite shore collecting mussels. Hixon stood gazing at the stranger for some minutes, and then said to himself, “I had better go too, or maybe they will not tell of the captain and the rest.”As he neared the further end of the rock he found the ship hove-to and a boat approaching the shore. On reaching the little bay into which the boat had put, he found that the starving people had tumbled into her, and that she had already shoved off. He shouted loudly. The boat put back. The captain of the ship, who had himself come in the boat with provisions and water, having heard his account, expressed his indignation at the men who would have allowed their shipmates to be left behind. They replied that they were afraid it would come on to blow again, and that the ship might be driven off and they left behind.“I would not desert them if I had to remain a week or a month more,” answered the captain, ordering two of his crew to accompany him, and to bring a boat-sail with two spars.“It’s some miles from here, sir,” observed Hixon.“Never mind; if it were ten miles we will bring your sick captain with us,” was the reply.The men told Hixon that their ship was theMyrtle, bound out to New South Wales, and their captain’s name was Barrow.It was nearly dark when Captain Barrow reached the hut, and was thankfully welcomed by poor Captain Hauslar.“I am afraid that for my sake you will expose your ship to risk,” observed the latter during their conversation.“Do not trouble yourself about that, my friend; my first-mate is an excellent seamen, and my crew obedient and trustworthy. It’s too dark to go aboard to-night; we will start to-morrow, if, as I trust, you can bear the journey after a night’s rest and some food.”The fire was quickly lighted, and a meal prepared such as the shipwrecked party had not partaken of for many a day.“I will join you and your people in offering thanksgiving to God for His many mercies,” said Captain Barrow. “You, I trust, acknowledge Him in all your ways?”“I did not till lately,” was the answer. And then Captain Hauslar told him that he was indebted to young Peter for being brought to the truth.“I should like to have that boy with me, then,” observed Captain Barrow. “One youngster like that can exert a wonderful influence for good among a crew. I frequently get rough characters, and it takes long before they can be brought into order. Every assistance is of value.”The journey to the boat was performed the next morning, Captain Barrow assisting in carrying his brother commander. Although the wind blew heavily, the ship was reached in safety, and she was once more put on her course.
When morning broke the gale had entirely ceased, but no part of the ship hung together, and all hope of obtaining any provisions from her, except such as might be washed up on the shore, was lost. The captain’s condition also caused his companions much anxiety; he was suffering greatly, and appeared to be weaker than on the previous day. They had breakfasted on a small portion of biscuit and tongue, but their scanty supply of water was almost exhausted at their first meal. Peter gave the captain the larger part of his share, and having drunk a little himself, entreated that the remainder might be reserved for him, as he complained greatly of thirst.
None of the rest of the crew had returned. Peter offered to stay by the captain if the three other men would go in search of them, and ascertain whether any water was to be found.
“If we are to live we must do so,” said Hixon; “come along, mates; I know Peter will look after the captain,” and they set off.
After Peter had moistened the captain’s lips, and made his bed as comfortable as he could, he said, “Shall I read to you, sir?”
“What have you got to read? How can you have any books here?” asked the captain.
Peter drew his Bible out of the canvas slung round his neck, and showed it to the captain. The cover, of course, was drenched with sea-water, but the inside was quite dry.
“Yes, you may,” was the answer; “when a man is sick as I am it is a good book to listen to, and I am fit for nothing else.”
Peter made no reply, but began to read. He came to the account of Lazarus and the rich man.
“What does Abraham’s bosom mean?” asked the captain.
“Heaven, sir,” answered Peter; “it must be a glorious place, for Christ has gone before to prepare it for those who love Him.”
“I hope when I die I shall go there,” murmured the captain, more to himself than Peter; “I have not been a bad man, or done much harm to any one, and have tried to do my duty, and have never got drunk at sea; and I hope I have done some good in my time, so I should think God would let me into heaven.”
Peter prayed that he might give a right answer. “God says, sir, in His book, that ‘there is none that doeth good, no, not one,’ and that ‘He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ The rich man we have been reading about does not seem to have done much harm, and very likely he thought himself pretty good, and yet he went to hell.”
“Then how is a man ever to get to heaven?” asked the captain, somewhat petulantly.
“God says, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.’ He wants us to take Him at His word. He tells us that our own good deeds are as filthy rags, and that we must trust to the sacrifice of Christ, to His blood shed for us; and thus we shall be clothed with His righteousness, with His pure and spotless robe; and so God will not look upon our iniquities, because He has accepted Christ’s punishment instead of what we deserved, and we shall therefore not be punished.”
Thus Peter continued to place the loving Gospel before his captain. The latter listened, often asking some more questions. At last he put his hands before his eyes, and murmured, “It’s wonderful that a mere boy should know all this, and be able to explain it so clearly. It’s true; yes, I am sure of that.”
“Let us pray, sir, that God’s Holy Spirit will bring it home to your heart,” said Peter, as if the remark had been made to him. “God has said we shall not ask in vain.”
The captain’s eye brightened; a new hope, new thoughts and feelings, rose in his bosom.
Peter again turned to his book. He read many portions, the captain appearing in no way wearied.
He was so employed when a shout reached their ears, and Peter, going out of the tent, saw old Hixon making his way down the rocks. He brought his sou’-wester full of water.
“Praised be God, we have found a spring two miles off. There was nothing else to bring it in but this,” he said, offering the water to the captain and Peter. “The rest of the men collected near it, but when I told them that they ought to come and help to carry you up the hill, captain, they said they were free now, and didn’t acknowledge any man’s authority.”
“I should have thought, Hixon, from what I know of you, that you would have been among them,” observed the captain.
“So I should, sir, a few weeks ago, but Peter there, out of his Bible, showed me what a sinner I was, and how I must love Jesus Christ and obey Him, and I know He would not have left any man to perish, and so, sir, as long as you live—and I hope we shall escape from this rock—I will not leave you.”
“Thank you, Hixon,” said the captain; “I am sure you speak the truth. But what has become of Emery and Bill?”
“They said they would stop and have some food, and then come back and try and get you up to the spring, which is a warmer and pleasanter place than this.”
In a short time the other men appeared, but the captain felt so much pain when they attempted to move him, that he begged them to let him remain where he was.
“I am afraid, sir, they will soon have eaten up all their provisions, and then they will be coming down to get what we have collected,” observed Bill. “Perhaps, if you are among them, you might persuade them to put themselves on an allowance.”
The captain sent a message by Hixon, but the men only laughed at him, and replied that a ship was sure soon to appear, and take them off, though they took no pains to make their situation known. The captain, however, told Hixon and the rest to form a flag-staff out of the spars which had been cast ashore, and to erect it on the highest point with a piece of the cloth which they had found, as a flag. They did so.
Day after day passed by, and though one or the other was constantly on the look-out, no distant sail met their anxious gaze.
Peter was thankful that the captain appeared to be slowly recovering his strength, though still unable to move. By husbanding their provisions, the little party on the shore hoped to support existence for some weeks to come.
When Hixon arrived one day with their usual supply of water, he brought word that the rest of the crew had deserted the spring and were nowhere to be seen. He thought probably that they had gone down to the shore to try and catch fish, or collect mussels, or anything that might have been thrown up. He and his companions were searching about for the same object, that they might eke out the diminishing store of their more nutritive food, and give the captain a larger supply. Peter, when not thus employed, read to the captain, as also to the other men, and Bill and the black were well pleased to listen, as were the captain and Hixon. Indeed, the light of God’s blessed truth shone on the small shipwrecked party, and shed on them its warmth and healing influence. It never occurred to young Peter to pride himself that the light shone from the lamp he carried within him.
The weather had again changed, and instead of a balmy breeze and sunshine, a fierce gale was blowing, and heavy showers came down upon their heads.
They were sitting beneath the shelter of their tent, while Peter was reading to them, when voices were heard, and several of the crew appeared. They looked wretched, and nearly starved.
“Hilloa!” cried one of them, seeing the cask of provisions near the entrance of the hut. “What, have you still got food? We thought that you must be as badly off as we are.”
The rest came up, and though the captain, with his friends, expostulated, and promised to give the men a small portion, they took possession of more than half of the remaining provisions. With the supply of food they had thus obtained, they returned to their former camp near the spring. The captain was deeply grieved.
“It would have killed me with rage a short time ago, but I feel more sorry for them now; and I am afraid the food will only prolong their lives a day or two, while the want of it may shorten ours.”
As was to be expected, in a couple of days they returned for more. Bill proposed fighting as he saw them coming, rather than give it up.
“It would only make matters worse,” observed the captain, “as they would be sure to overpower us. We must trust that God will find some way for our escape.”
The captain told Bill to give to each of them the same rations which they allowed for themselves, though it was not more than just sufficient to support life. Each day they came for their allowance, but still did not offer to assist in removing the captain. Hixon and the rest were very indignant.
The captain, however, quieted them, and insisted upon the provisions being equally shared amongst all the survivors from the shipwrecked crew.
At length, although their allowance had been still further reduced, no biscuits nor meat remained. A few herrings and some cabbages which had been washed up, and were wellnigh rotten, were the only articles of food they still had. Bill, however, came back with some birds’ eggs and he thought that soon more might be obtained should the weather clear, and the birds visit the island in greater numbers.
Peter had, with the rest, taken his turn in watching by the flag-staff. He was casting his eyes around when they fell on the sails of a vessel just rising above the horizon. He watched her eagerly—she was drawing near. He ran down the hill to give the joyful intelligence to his friends. They quickly returned with him, the captain telling them to leave him alone, as he felt quite well enough to remain by himself. Each man carried a bundle of drift-wood, some dry grass, or branches from the numerous low bushes they found in sheltered spots, to assist in lighting a beacon, should the vessel not draw near till nightfall. A tinder-box had enabled the other party to obtain a light. Bill went for it. When he told them of the ship being seen, they would not believe him.
“Get up and have a look at her,” he answered.
One of them did so. On being convinced, some showed their satisfaction by leaping about and shouting, others growled out that she would not come near the land, but none thought of praying that she might be directed towards them, or showed any gratitude at the prospect of deliverance.
On came the ship, but as she neared the island the shades of evening concealed her from sight. The beacon was immediately lighted, but they had to remain all night in the uncertainty whether it had been seen.
How anxiously they waited for the return of morning, and how eagerly they cast their straining eyes in the direction she had last appeared as daylight broke on the world of waters. As the light increased, she was seen standing for the island. A shout rose from their throats, but they themselves were startled by the hollowness of the sound.
The wind had been increasing. As she drew near, it raged furiously, and a heavy surf beat everywhere on the shore. With sinking hearts, they saw the ship haul her wind, and again stand off the dangerous rock.
“We are deserted,” cried several voices, and loud complaints were made of the stranger’s indifference to their sufferings. They watched till she was lost to sight, and most of them declared she would not return.
“If he is a Christian man I am sure he will,” said Peter, who had been sent up by the captain to ascertain how things stood. He returned with his report.
“Don’t be down-hearted, sir; God, you know, will take care of us. And even if that ship sails away, He can send another,” said Peter.
The flag was kept flying all day, and the beacon fire lighted again at night.
A few herrings and some almost rotten cabbages now alone remained; starvation threatened to overtake the shipwrecked mariners. Most of the crew gave way to despair. One or two had become almost delirious from hunger and talked of rushing into the sea and drowning themselves.
“If you do, mates, you will go into the presence of God Almighty with another great sin unrepented of on your heads, besides those you have already committed,” said old Hixon. “Let us pray to God to help and deliver us; we have no other hope.”
His words had great effect among his late shipmates; for some time they were far more orderly and quiet than they had been hitherto.
Another day passed and the gale continued blowing furiously, and the stranger did not re-appear. Again they were on the look-out. At daybreak she was not to be seen; the wind, however, had abated. As the day drew on, Peter, who was on the look-out, caught sight of a small speck in the south-east; it grew larger and larger.
“The ship; the ship!” he shouted out. The cry was taken up by those scattered about on the rock, and passed on from one to the other. They hurried away along the island in the direction she was seen. Peter waited till he was sure there could be no mistake, and then hastened down to the captain, feeling that the good news would cheer him up. Bill and the black steward were on the opposite shore collecting mussels. Hixon stood gazing at the stranger for some minutes, and then said to himself, “I had better go too, or maybe they will not tell of the captain and the rest.”
As he neared the further end of the rock he found the ship hove-to and a boat approaching the shore. On reaching the little bay into which the boat had put, he found that the starving people had tumbled into her, and that she had already shoved off. He shouted loudly. The boat put back. The captain of the ship, who had himself come in the boat with provisions and water, having heard his account, expressed his indignation at the men who would have allowed their shipmates to be left behind. They replied that they were afraid it would come on to blow again, and that the ship might be driven off and they left behind.
“I would not desert them if I had to remain a week or a month more,” answered the captain, ordering two of his crew to accompany him, and to bring a boat-sail with two spars.
“It’s some miles from here, sir,” observed Hixon.
“Never mind; if it were ten miles we will bring your sick captain with us,” was the reply.
The men told Hixon that their ship was theMyrtle, bound out to New South Wales, and their captain’s name was Barrow.
It was nearly dark when Captain Barrow reached the hut, and was thankfully welcomed by poor Captain Hauslar.
“I am afraid that for my sake you will expose your ship to risk,” observed the latter during their conversation.
“Do not trouble yourself about that, my friend; my first-mate is an excellent seamen, and my crew obedient and trustworthy. It’s too dark to go aboard to-night; we will start to-morrow, if, as I trust, you can bear the journey after a night’s rest and some food.”
The fire was quickly lighted, and a meal prepared such as the shipwrecked party had not partaken of for many a day.
“I will join you and your people in offering thanksgiving to God for His many mercies,” said Captain Barrow. “You, I trust, acknowledge Him in all your ways?”
“I did not till lately,” was the answer. And then Captain Hauslar told him that he was indebted to young Peter for being brought to the truth.
“I should like to have that boy with me, then,” observed Captain Barrow. “One youngster like that can exert a wonderful influence for good among a crew. I frequently get rough characters, and it takes long before they can be brought into order. Every assistance is of value.”
The journey to the boat was performed the next morning, Captain Barrow assisting in carrying his brother commander. Although the wind blew heavily, the ship was reached in safety, and she was once more put on her course.
Chapter Eight.Peter rises in the World.Captain Hauslar expressed his astonishment at the good order which prevailed on board theMyrtle.“I have several old hands who have sailed with me for years,” observed her captain; “but many of the rest were rough enough when they joined. However, by firmness and gentleness, and treating them as fellow-beings with immortal souls, they now cheerfully do their duty, and many have been brought to know Christ and serve Him.”Every morning and evening, when the weather permitted it, prayers were read; the men were allowed certain hours in the week for mending their clothes, and no work was permitted on Sundays except what was absolutely necessary; Captain Barrow, however, took care it should not be spent in idleness. Those who could not read were taught, and books were provided for those who could make use of them.“Every ship that sails on the ocean might be like mine,” observed Captain Barrow.“Yes,” was Captain Hauslar’s answer, “if every master was a Christian. Missionaries may benefit the men partially, but until the masters and officers set them a good example I fear that they will remain much as they are.”Captain Barrow spoke frequently to Peter and old Hixon, and when the ship reached Sydney he invited them to remain on board and return with him. Both Bill and Emery also gladly entered among her crew, while Captain Hauslar took a passage back in her to England.After this Peter made several voyages in theMyrtle; Captain Barrow gave him instruction in navigation, for which he showed so much aptitude, that after one or two voyages he was appointed third-mate, and on the next he was raised a step higher.He had not got over his idea that his father was still alive, but where to seek for him was the question. He earnestly prayed that he might be led to find his father if he were yet alive, and he told Captain Barrow what he was so anxious about.“There are few coasts from which a man cannot escape, except perhaps from some of the rocks in the Indian seas, or from the islands in the Pacific, which are rarely visited,” observed Captain Barrow. “I would help you if I could, though I should be sorry to part from you. I would advise you, if you still hold to your idea, to get a berth on board a ship making a roving voyage among the islands in those seas, and you might make inquiries at every place you touch at. You can but do your best, and if it is God’s will you should find him, He, depend on it, will lead you.”However, Peter made another voyage with Captain Barrow. His first-mate having got the command of a ship, Peter obtained his berth. His Bible had ever been his constant companion, and he had not failed to make good use of it.TheMyrtlehad just returned home. She required extensive repairs, and as many months would pass before she would be ready for sea, Captain Barrow told Peter that he could obtain for him the command of a vessel bound out to the Mediterranean. He was about to accept the offer when he heard that a ship, theEdgar, was to sail to the Pacific, with the master of which Captain Barrow was acquainted. The master, Captain Sandford, having no first-mate, gladly agreed, when he heard Peter Gray’s character, to give him the berth.“I am thankful to have my first-officer a Christian,” he said; “for I have too often been defeated in my attempts to bring my crew to the truth by the indifference or hostility of my mates. Three of my men have sailed with me for years, and I can trust them; but the rest are of the ordinary stamp, though I have hopes that by our example and exhortations they may be brought in the way they should go. Ah, Mr Gray, Christians enjoy a happiness and freedom from anxiety which no others possess. I leave my family, knowing that, as His dear children, they are under God’s protection, and they, while I am tossing about on the ocean, are supported by the same faith, being sure that if I am called hence we shall meet again in heaven. When I part from my beloved wife and daughter I can always remind them of that, and the truth cheers all our hearts.”TheEdgarhad a fine run down Channel, and there was so much to do in getting things in order, that there was little time for conversation.The second-mate, Tom Berge, had never sailed with Captain Sandford before. He was a bold, hardy seaman of the rough-and-ready school, and seemed much astonished at the customs of his new captain.“Our skipper is a good sort of man,” he observed to Peter one day, “but I don’t like so much praying and preaching. I cannot help fancying something is going to happen.”“We want a great many things, and it seems reasonable to me that we should pray for them to God, who gives us everything.”“But you don’t mean to say that He hears such prayers as rough chaps like me and others aboard here could say?”“I am sure He hears the prayers of the youngest as well as the oldest of sailors as well as of landsmen,” said Peter. “Jesus Christ says He came ‘not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance;’ and also God says, ‘The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin;’ so of course He will listen to the roughest sinner who turns to Him.”“Would He hear my prayers now?” asked the second-mate.“If you turn from your sins and seek Him, certainly,” answered Peter; “for He has said, ‘Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you,’ and that was said to all.”At length Berge not only consented to let Peter read the Bible to him, but gladly accepted a copy of which the captain made him a present, and, becoming a diligent reader himself, before theEdgarrounded Cape Horn, could say, “I rejoice in the blood of my risen Saviour.”There is no part of the ocean in which storms are more frequent or more terrible than off Cape Horn. Just as theEdgarsighted the Cape, she encountered a heavy gale, the seas rising in mountain billows around her.There was on board a young lad in whom Berge had from the first taken great interest, and who had lately been brought to know Christ. As the gale was seen approaching, the order was given to close reef the topsails, and the lad, with others, flew aloft. He was on the lee yard-arm. The wind struck the ship with unexpected fury. As she heeled over, he lost his hold and fell into the foaming waters. He was a good swimmer, and struck out boldly.“He must be saved!” cried Berge. “Who will go with me?” and, running to the falls, prepared to lower a boat.Captain Sandford, though seeing the danger, was unwilling to stop him. While the rest hung back, the four Christian men who have been spoken of sprang to the assistance of the mate, and the ship being brought to the wind, the boat was lowered. Now she rose to the top of a foaming billow, and now she was lost to sight. Boldly she made her way towards where the youth was struggling in the waves. Just then a dark squall with tremendous force struck the ship, and a heavy sea washed over her. She escaped damage; but when the squall cleared away, the boat was nowhere to be seen! In vain those on board waited her return.“They have been summoned hence,” said the captain; “God’s will be done, they were all prepared to meet Him. For that let us be thankful.”For several days the ship heeled to and fro, till the wind, coming fair, she once more stood on her course, and entered the bright waters of the Pacific.Peter observed that the captain felt greatly the loss of the brave mate and his companions. His health had been for some time failing.One morning, when the lofty Andes had just appeared in sight, he summoned his first-mate to his bedside.“Gray,” he said, “I feel that I shall not live out the day. I should first wish to see all the crew, and then I would have a word with you.”The men came, one after the other, and the captain spoke affectionately and earnestly to each, urging them to seek the Saviour while He might be found, and recommending them to listen to the first-mate, who would explain the truth to them.“Gray,” he said, when they had left him, “I must ask you to visit my wife and daughter when you get home, and bear my last message of love to them. Take this letter and deliver it, if you can, with your own hands. Send them the property I leave on board; I know that I can trust you; with things of this world I have nothing more to do. And now read some of God’s word and pray with me.”Peter remained with the captain till the last, and with sincere sorrow closed his eyes.Next day the ship entered the harbour of Valparaiso, where the captain was attended to his grave by most of his own crew and those of several other English merchantmen in harbour.Peter had much felt the want of Christian sympathy in his sorrow. Among those who had attended the funeral of his late captain, he observed a tall fine-looking man with grey hair. A second glance convinced him that he was his old captain, Mr Hauslar.“What, Gray?” exclaimed the latter, when Peter spoke to him. “I remember you now. Come on board with me; my ship lies close to yours.”Peter had the satisfaction of finding that his former friend continued a faithful believer. Delightful to both was the conversation they had together.The next day Captain Hauslar accompanied Peter to the agents, and from his recommendation they directed him to take command of theEdgar. A young Christian man, whose ship had been lost, but the crew rescued by Captain Hauslar, was appointed to serve as second-mate, and came accompanied by four South Sea Islanders, who were considered good seamen.While theEdgarwas getting in her stores Peter enjoyed the company of his friend, and with renewed spirits and hopes he sailed on his voyage.The beautiful island of Otaheite and several others were visited. He then, according to his order, sailed northward, to call at the Sandwich Islands, thence to proceed to Japan and through the Indian Seas round the Cape of Good Hope homewards.Calm as the Pacific is at times, fearful gales sweep across it. To one of these theEdgarwas exposed for several days, and Peter had to exert all his skill and seamanship to preserve his ship. He did his best, and putting his trust in God, sought His protection. The gale had driven the ship considerably out of her course. For some days no observation could be taken; an anxious look-out was kept, for coral reefs and islands were near at hand, and with little warning the ship might be driven on one of them.The night was unusually dark. Peter and his mates had never left the deck. Just as morning was about to break a cry was heard of “Land! on the lee bow!” The ship was put about, and scarcely had she come round when breakers were seen rising in a foaming wall astern.
Captain Hauslar expressed his astonishment at the good order which prevailed on board theMyrtle.
“I have several old hands who have sailed with me for years,” observed her captain; “but many of the rest were rough enough when they joined. However, by firmness and gentleness, and treating them as fellow-beings with immortal souls, they now cheerfully do their duty, and many have been brought to know Christ and serve Him.”
Every morning and evening, when the weather permitted it, prayers were read; the men were allowed certain hours in the week for mending their clothes, and no work was permitted on Sundays except what was absolutely necessary; Captain Barrow, however, took care it should not be spent in idleness. Those who could not read were taught, and books were provided for those who could make use of them.
“Every ship that sails on the ocean might be like mine,” observed Captain Barrow.
“Yes,” was Captain Hauslar’s answer, “if every master was a Christian. Missionaries may benefit the men partially, but until the masters and officers set them a good example I fear that they will remain much as they are.”
Captain Barrow spoke frequently to Peter and old Hixon, and when the ship reached Sydney he invited them to remain on board and return with him. Both Bill and Emery also gladly entered among her crew, while Captain Hauslar took a passage back in her to England.
After this Peter made several voyages in theMyrtle; Captain Barrow gave him instruction in navigation, for which he showed so much aptitude, that after one or two voyages he was appointed third-mate, and on the next he was raised a step higher.
He had not got over his idea that his father was still alive, but where to seek for him was the question. He earnestly prayed that he might be led to find his father if he were yet alive, and he told Captain Barrow what he was so anxious about.
“There are few coasts from which a man cannot escape, except perhaps from some of the rocks in the Indian seas, or from the islands in the Pacific, which are rarely visited,” observed Captain Barrow. “I would help you if I could, though I should be sorry to part from you. I would advise you, if you still hold to your idea, to get a berth on board a ship making a roving voyage among the islands in those seas, and you might make inquiries at every place you touch at. You can but do your best, and if it is God’s will you should find him, He, depend on it, will lead you.”
However, Peter made another voyage with Captain Barrow. His first-mate having got the command of a ship, Peter obtained his berth. His Bible had ever been his constant companion, and he had not failed to make good use of it.
TheMyrtlehad just returned home. She required extensive repairs, and as many months would pass before she would be ready for sea, Captain Barrow told Peter that he could obtain for him the command of a vessel bound out to the Mediterranean. He was about to accept the offer when he heard that a ship, theEdgar, was to sail to the Pacific, with the master of which Captain Barrow was acquainted. The master, Captain Sandford, having no first-mate, gladly agreed, when he heard Peter Gray’s character, to give him the berth.
“I am thankful to have my first-officer a Christian,” he said; “for I have too often been defeated in my attempts to bring my crew to the truth by the indifference or hostility of my mates. Three of my men have sailed with me for years, and I can trust them; but the rest are of the ordinary stamp, though I have hopes that by our example and exhortations they may be brought in the way they should go. Ah, Mr Gray, Christians enjoy a happiness and freedom from anxiety which no others possess. I leave my family, knowing that, as His dear children, they are under God’s protection, and they, while I am tossing about on the ocean, are supported by the same faith, being sure that if I am called hence we shall meet again in heaven. When I part from my beloved wife and daughter I can always remind them of that, and the truth cheers all our hearts.”
TheEdgarhad a fine run down Channel, and there was so much to do in getting things in order, that there was little time for conversation.
The second-mate, Tom Berge, had never sailed with Captain Sandford before. He was a bold, hardy seaman of the rough-and-ready school, and seemed much astonished at the customs of his new captain.
“Our skipper is a good sort of man,” he observed to Peter one day, “but I don’t like so much praying and preaching. I cannot help fancying something is going to happen.”
“We want a great many things, and it seems reasonable to me that we should pray for them to God, who gives us everything.”
“But you don’t mean to say that He hears such prayers as rough chaps like me and others aboard here could say?”
“I am sure He hears the prayers of the youngest as well as the oldest of sailors as well as of landsmen,” said Peter. “Jesus Christ says He came ‘not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance;’ and also God says, ‘The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin;’ so of course He will listen to the roughest sinner who turns to Him.”
“Would He hear my prayers now?” asked the second-mate.
“If you turn from your sins and seek Him, certainly,” answered Peter; “for He has said, ‘Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you,’ and that was said to all.”
At length Berge not only consented to let Peter read the Bible to him, but gladly accepted a copy of which the captain made him a present, and, becoming a diligent reader himself, before theEdgarrounded Cape Horn, could say, “I rejoice in the blood of my risen Saviour.”
There is no part of the ocean in which storms are more frequent or more terrible than off Cape Horn. Just as theEdgarsighted the Cape, she encountered a heavy gale, the seas rising in mountain billows around her.
There was on board a young lad in whom Berge had from the first taken great interest, and who had lately been brought to know Christ. As the gale was seen approaching, the order was given to close reef the topsails, and the lad, with others, flew aloft. He was on the lee yard-arm. The wind struck the ship with unexpected fury. As she heeled over, he lost his hold and fell into the foaming waters. He was a good swimmer, and struck out boldly.
“He must be saved!” cried Berge. “Who will go with me?” and, running to the falls, prepared to lower a boat.
Captain Sandford, though seeing the danger, was unwilling to stop him. While the rest hung back, the four Christian men who have been spoken of sprang to the assistance of the mate, and the ship being brought to the wind, the boat was lowered. Now she rose to the top of a foaming billow, and now she was lost to sight. Boldly she made her way towards where the youth was struggling in the waves. Just then a dark squall with tremendous force struck the ship, and a heavy sea washed over her. She escaped damage; but when the squall cleared away, the boat was nowhere to be seen! In vain those on board waited her return.
“They have been summoned hence,” said the captain; “God’s will be done, they were all prepared to meet Him. For that let us be thankful.”
For several days the ship heeled to and fro, till the wind, coming fair, she once more stood on her course, and entered the bright waters of the Pacific.
Peter observed that the captain felt greatly the loss of the brave mate and his companions. His health had been for some time failing.
One morning, when the lofty Andes had just appeared in sight, he summoned his first-mate to his bedside.
“Gray,” he said, “I feel that I shall not live out the day. I should first wish to see all the crew, and then I would have a word with you.”
The men came, one after the other, and the captain spoke affectionately and earnestly to each, urging them to seek the Saviour while He might be found, and recommending them to listen to the first-mate, who would explain the truth to them.
“Gray,” he said, when they had left him, “I must ask you to visit my wife and daughter when you get home, and bear my last message of love to them. Take this letter and deliver it, if you can, with your own hands. Send them the property I leave on board; I know that I can trust you; with things of this world I have nothing more to do. And now read some of God’s word and pray with me.”
Peter remained with the captain till the last, and with sincere sorrow closed his eyes.
Next day the ship entered the harbour of Valparaiso, where the captain was attended to his grave by most of his own crew and those of several other English merchantmen in harbour.
Peter had much felt the want of Christian sympathy in his sorrow. Among those who had attended the funeral of his late captain, he observed a tall fine-looking man with grey hair. A second glance convinced him that he was his old captain, Mr Hauslar.
“What, Gray?” exclaimed the latter, when Peter spoke to him. “I remember you now. Come on board with me; my ship lies close to yours.”
Peter had the satisfaction of finding that his former friend continued a faithful believer. Delightful to both was the conversation they had together.
The next day Captain Hauslar accompanied Peter to the agents, and from his recommendation they directed him to take command of theEdgar. A young Christian man, whose ship had been lost, but the crew rescued by Captain Hauslar, was appointed to serve as second-mate, and came accompanied by four South Sea Islanders, who were considered good seamen.
While theEdgarwas getting in her stores Peter enjoyed the company of his friend, and with renewed spirits and hopes he sailed on his voyage.
The beautiful island of Otaheite and several others were visited. He then, according to his order, sailed northward, to call at the Sandwich Islands, thence to proceed to Japan and through the Indian Seas round the Cape of Good Hope homewards.
Calm as the Pacific is at times, fearful gales sweep across it. To one of these theEdgarwas exposed for several days, and Peter had to exert all his skill and seamanship to preserve his ship. He did his best, and putting his trust in God, sought His protection. The gale had driven the ship considerably out of her course. For some days no observation could be taken; an anxious look-out was kept, for coral reefs and islands were near at hand, and with little warning the ship might be driven on one of them.
The night was unusually dark. Peter and his mates had never left the deck. Just as morning was about to break a cry was heard of “Land! on the lee bow!” The ship was put about, and scarcely had she come round when breakers were seen rising in a foaming wall astern.