us of their situation, they were
drifting upon the ocean on a wave-tossed bark, with no living companion
but the sailor's dog.

Three days thus they drifted on the merciless ocean, wondering why they
were left alone in the forecastle; and when they called for help all the
reply was the dashing of the waves against the shattered ship.

Fortunately, a large steamer which had withstood the storm saw the
shattered hulk drifting upon the waves, and sent men on board to rescue
any who might be found alive. All had been swept away, and desolation
reigned on deck. To their surprise, on opening the forecastle they found
the two boys and the sailor's dog.

These helpless and homeless ones they took to the ship. Sad indeed were
they when they began to realize that their parents and brothers were
lost. They had no kindred or friends, and knew not a word of the
language of the Americans who were upon the steamer. They shed many sad
tears when the feelings of their loneliness settled upon them, and they
wished themselves in their own country, where a language was spoken
which they could understand.

There is always sunshine behind the clouds, and their shadows were
dispelled by a kind gentleman upon the steamer, who said he would care
for them and give them a home.

He commenced to teach them to speak English while on the voyage, and
amused them with various sports and games. Silvio, being the eldest,
learned quicker than his little brother, but as soon as he had learned
he taught Francesco.

When the steamer landed the kind gentleman sent them to board for a
while with a family from their own country who could speak both English
and Italian, where they soon learned to talk in both languages.

Silvio was a good object-teacher, and gave his little brother lessons.

He would introduce some game or sport as a means of communicating
instruction. It was pleasing to see them together. They would sit by the
fire in the Italian's cottage, with the old sailor's dog, which the
gentleman who had befriended the children said should not be taken from
them, and Silvio would teach his brother.

They learned to play "cratch cradle," and when they did this the names
of every thing used were learned. When one is learning a new language it
is word by word; so in this game they learned to count, and to name the
words, such as hand, finger, string, cross, and others that suggested
themselves in the course of the game. Some children call this ga