gue, and from that time forward Peter was allowed to
say his prayers in peace.

CHAPTER FIVE.

STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS.

When little Peter read his Bible on a Sunday while other men were
mending their clothes, or sleeping, or amusing themselves with old
newspapers or story books, he was generally allowed to do so in peace,
but he wished to study it on week-days, as well, convinced that it was
intended to guide him in every affair of life. On each occasion that he
was found doing so, however, he was sure to be interrupted. The other
boys would play him all sorts of tricks, and the men would send him to
perform some work or other, and if they could think of nothing else,
would despatch him with a pretended message to the man at the helm.
Simon Hixon was his greatest foe, and frequently as Peter passed gave
him a blow with a rope's-end.

One day as Peter was quietly reading his Bible in the berth, Hixon swore
that if he found him again at it, he would throw the book overboard.

"It would be a great shame to do that," answered Peter, "and I hope you
won't try. God would, I am sure, not allow you to go unpunished."

"You see, youngster, if I am not as good as my word," growled Hixon.

Peter prayed that the old seaman's hard heart might be softened, and
that he might be prevented committing such a crime.

"I don't think if you read the book you would wish to destroy it," said
Peter. "It is full of such beautiful things, that you would like to
read them over and over again if you were once to begin."

"I can't read, so there's little chance of that," said Hixon.

"But will you let me read them to you?" asked Peter. "I shall be very
glad to do that."

"What! when I have told you that I would heave the book overboard if I
found you reading it?" said the old man.

"That makes no difference," said Peter, "only just listen to one or
two."

"Not I. I don't want to hear your yarns," said Hixon, turning away.

Peter went on reading, and the old man did not further interfere with
him.

The ship sailed on. When she was crossing the line the usual ceremonies
were performed. Peter heard what was to take place, and, fearing that
his Bible would get wet, hid it away carefully. He felt very anxious,
however, lest any one should suspect what he had done, and look for it.
He and the other young seamen who had not before crossed the line, were
ducked, and had all sorts of tricks played on them by Neptune and his
att