broke into a peal of
laughter from all hands, and several shoes came flying about him. He
knelt on, however, trying to keep his thoughts calm, and his heart
lifted up to God.

"Well, that young chap does sleep soundly," cried one; "wake him up,
Bill."

"Hilloa, Peter! are you acting parson?" cried Bill, one of the wildest
of the crew.

Peter made no reply, and endeavoured, though it was a hard task, to
continue his prayers. Similar jeers and questions were now showered on
him from all sides.

"Oh, my Father in heaven," he mentally ejaculated, "help me to continue
to pray and soften the hearts of my shipmates towards me and towards
themselves. May they see what a fearful state they are in when thus
obeying Satan, and strangers to Thee."

The men and boys, who, prompted by them, had been the worst, were silent
for some minutes, and Peter had nearly finished his prayers, when a
fresh volley of all sorts of articles was hove at him. Still he
persevered. Now his tormentors burst forth afresh with ribald jests and
shouts of laughter.

"If he stands all that he will stand anything," growled out old Simon
Hixon, who, though not taking so active a part as the rest, had
encouraged them in their conduct.

Peter at length rose from his knees without saying a word, took off his
clothes, and turned into his berth. Although he never lay down without
commending himself to God, he did not kneel down before turning in after
the middle watch was over, and it was not till the second night he again
went to bed during the first watch. The same conduct as before was
pursued towards him, but although he received two or three severe blows
he persevered.

"Well, for my part, I shall be ashamed to try him any more," he heard
Owen Bell exclaim as he rose from his knees. "Peter, you are a brave
little chap, and if you had followed my advice this would not have come
upon you," said Owen, addressing him.

"You meant it kindly," answered Peter; "but as God gives me everything,
and takes care of me, I am sure it is my duty to thank Him night and
morning for all His benefits, and to ask Him to continue them to me. I
would rather not have the things hove at my head, but you know it would
not be right for me to put God aside for fear of what any of you may
choose to do."

When on another night two or three began the same sort of work, the rest
cried out and told them to let the little psalm-singer alone; even old
Hixon held his ton