hen
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 the _Myrtle_, 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 ca