would let you, and tell them all about the love of
Jesus, as you told me, and I cannot but fancy that they would trust to
Him as I have done. It will be a hard matter to get at the captain and
mates; but I should not despair of them if they were to hear of the
glorious things which the Gospel contains."

Peter often afterwards recollected this conversation with Owen Bell.

That night he was aroused from his sleep by the cry of "All hands
shorten sail!"

The men rushed on deck half-clothed, for they knew the summons admitted
of no delay. In an instant they were flying aloft. A heavy squall had
struck the ship, and she was heeling over, her masts bending like willow
wands and threatening to go every instant. The sheets were let fly, but
before the sails could be furled there came a crash, and the
fore-topmast with its yard, to which several of the crew were clinging,
was carried away. Their cries were heard as they struggled in the
foaming waters under the lee, but no help could be rendered them. Away
the ship flew. Every effort was made to clear the wreck and to furl the
sails. Some time passed before it could be done. The gale continued to
increase.

The captain stood back over the spot in the hopes of picking up some who
might have clung to the spars. The names were called over. Among those
who did not answer was Owen Bell.

"Poor fellow," said several.

"A fine young lad," said the captain, "I hope we may pick him up."

Peter hoped so too; but he did not mourn for his friend as his shipmates
did, for he was sure that if Owen Bell was drowned he had gone to be
with the Master, who, though lately found, he had been brought truly to
love.

The search was vain, the ship wore round and continued her course.
Peter missed Owen Bell greatly. The rest of the men treated him, for
his friend's sake, perhaps, with less unkindness than before, and a more
subdued tone was perceptible among them; even the captain and mates
seemed to feel for the loss of the men, and fewer oaths were heard than
usual.

Peter found an opportunity of speaking to Emery, the negro. "That just
what Owen Bell say," answered the steward; "If Jesus die for me, and
love me, I ought to love Him."

"Yes," observed Peter, "but not only that; you must believe that He died
to take away your sins, and that your sins are taken away; that God
looks upon you as free from sin, and will receive you into heaven when
you die."

"How can that b