ed to do so, just like my father, who used to read the Bible to
the day of his death," remarked the lad.

"But if Simon had begun to read the Bible when he was young, he would
not have become such as you say he now is," observed Peter. "Jesus
Christ would have changed Simon Hixon's heart, and then he could not
have become a sulky, swearing old ruffian."

"You are too deep for me," said Bell, with a forced laugh. "I never
quarrel with anybody, and don't want to quarrel with you; but let me
advise you not to go on talking in that sort of way to the other chaps
aboard; you won't hear the end of it if you do. The cook was shouting
for you as I came along the deck; just hide away your Bible and go and
see what he wants."

Peter put his Bible into its case.

"You will let me read it to you sometimes, Owen?" he said, as he went
out of the berth.

"Well, I don't mind if I have a spell of it some Sunday," said Bell,
with apparent carelessness. "It would put me in mind of old times at
home; but I should not like to be seen reading it on a week-day. I have
no fancy to be called a Methodist, as you will be if you are found out."

Peter, going to the caboose, asked the cook what he wanted, and was told
to clean the pots and pans. He set to work with right good will.

"You have done it handsomely, boy," observed the cook, when he had
finished. "I have not had my pans so bright for many a day."

The _Primrose_ had a fine run down Channel. On her passage a sudden
squall struck her; the watch on deck flew aloft to shorten sail. Peter,
who was aft, lay out on the mizen top-gallant-sail yard, and taking the
weather earring, succeeded, with Owen Bell and two others, in handling
the fluttering sail. As he reached the deck the captain called to him.

"You did that smartly, youngster; it's not the first time I have
observed you. I'll keep my eye on you. Go on as you have begun, and
you will make a famous seaman."

"I thank you, sir," said Peter, touching his hat as he went forward.

"I didn't expect it from a psalm-singer," observed the captain to the
first-mate with his usual good-natured laugh.

"There is no harm in the lad for all that," was the answer.

Peter, however, had his trials. Being placed in a watch, he had to turn
in and out with his watch-mates. The first night, as usual, he knelt
down to say his prayers. He hadn't been long on his knees, before he
was interrupted by a suppressed titter, which soon