ving 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.

The _Myrtle_ had 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, the _Edgar_, 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."

The _Edgar_ had 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 ever