cked overboard by
Corkey.

"Is that the way you take care of our provisions?" said the captain,
sternly, to Baldwin.

"We've got a big hook, sir," said Edwin Jack, touching his cap; "shall
we try to recover the pork?"

"You may try," returned the captain.

Little Wilkins uttered something like a war-whoop as he leaped up and
assisted Jack to get out the shark-hook. It was soon baited with
another piece of pork. Ben Trench, who had a strong leaning to natural
history, became very eager; and the men generally, being ever ready for
sport, looked on with interest and prepared to lend a hand. The shark,
however, was cautious. It did indeed rush at the bait, and seemed about
to swallow it, but suddenly changed its mind, swam round it once or
twice, then fell slowly astern, and finally disappeared.

Although the fish was not caught, this little incident served to raise
the spirits of every one, and as the calm sunny weather lasted the whole
day, even the most thoughtful of the party found it difficult to realise
their forlorn condition; but when evening drew near, the aspect of
things quickly changed. The splendid ocean-mirror, which had reflected
the golden crags and slopes, the towers and battlements of cloud-land,
was shivered by a sudden breeze and became an opaque grey; the fair blue
sky deepened to indigo; black and gathering clouds rose out of the
horizon, and cold white crests gleamed on the darkening waves. The men
gathered in anxious groups, and Polly sat in the entrance of her bower
gazing on the gloomy scene, until her young heart sank slowly but
steadily. Then, remembering her father's advice, she betook herself to
God in prayer.

Young though she was, Polly was no sentimentalist in religion. She
believed with all her heart in Jesus Christ as a living, loving Saviour.
Her faith was very simple, and founded on experience. She had prayed,
and had been answered. She had sought Jesus in sorrow, and had been
comforted. The theologian can give the why and how and wherefore of
this happy condition, but in practice he can arrive at it only by the
same short road. One result of her prayer was that she went to sleep
that night in perfect peace, while most of her companions in misfortune
sat anxiously watching what appeared to be a gathering storm.

Before going to rest however, Polly had an earnest little talk with her
father.

"Polly," said Captain Samson, sitting down under the shelter of the
tarpau