courses, and her topsails, and
topgallant sails hung down uselessly; the breeze which had hitherto
fanned his cheeks died away.

The ship was almost abreast of him, but rather to the southward, so that
those on her deck saw the rays of the sun striking directly on the
brig's masts. Without thinking of this, however, he took off his hat
and waved it again and again. The ship appeared to be drifting in
towards the bank. How eagerly he watched her. Presently he saw a boat
lowered from her quarter; several people jumped in, and with rapid
strokes pulled towards him. The tide had again risen, and scarcely a
ripple was observed on the bank. The boat crossed it, and an
encouraging cheer reached his ears; he waved his hat in return, and
descending the rigging stood ready to step into the boat as soon as she
came.

"Glad to rescue you, my lad," said the officer, who was steering. "How
long have you been on the mast? What's become of your shipmates?"

"Since last night," answered Peter; "and I hope they have reached the
shore in the boat."

"I should think if they have deserted you, you would wish rather that
they had gone to the bottom as they deserve," said the officer.

"We should wish harm to no one, and do good to our enemies," answered
Peter.

"Very good," said the officer, "though the other is most natural. But
how were you left behind?"

"I was in the cabin getting up provisions for them, when, as the brig
appeared to be going down, they, I suppose, shoved off in the boat and
forgot me."

"Scoundrels! I can only hope their boat was swamped," exclaimed the
officer. "But give way, lads; the ship is closer in to the bank than is
altogether pleasant, and we shall have to tow her head off if the breeze
does not spring up again."

The boat was quickly alongside, and Peter soon found himself on the deck
of a ship larger than he had ever before seen. He looked round with
astonishment and admiration. Every one was busy in lowering the boats
to tow the ship away from the dangerous proximity to the bank. Peter
was, therefore, for some time left alone. The breeze, however, soon
again returning, filled the sails, and the boats were hoisted in.

The captain, a fine-looking young man, with a frank countenance, then
called Peter aft, and put to him nearly the same questions the mate had
asked.

"How came you to escape, my lad? You don't even look much the worse for
your adventure."

"God took care of me,