d upon faces. They were rude faces, but I noticed no unkindly
expression in any one of them. On the contrary, I perceived looks of
pity, and heard words of sympathy.

They were the sailors--the whole crew was around me. One was bending
over my face, pouring water into my lips, and cooling my temples with a
wet cloth. I knew this man at the first glance. It was Waters--he who
had carried me ashore, and presented me with my precious knife. Little
knowledge could he have at the time of the great service it was to do--
and had since done--me.

"Waters," said I, "do you remember me?"

He started at my words, uttering, as he did so, a sailor's exclamation
of surprise.

"Shiver my timbers!" was the phrase. "Shiver my timbers! if 'tain't the
little marlin-spike as boarded us a-port!"

"Him as wanted to go a seelorin?" cried several in a breath.

"The same, for sartin'."

"Yes," I answered, "it is; I am the same."

Another volley of ejaculations followed, and then there was a momentary
silence.

"Where is the captain?" I asked. "Waters, will you take me to the
captain?"

"You wish to see the capten? he's here, my lad," answered the big
sailor, in a kind tone; and then, stretching out his arm, he made an
opening in the ring that encircled me.

I glanced through this opening. I saw the same well-dressed man whom I
had before recognised as the captain. He was only a few yards off,
standing in front of the door of his cabin. I looked in his face. The
expression was stern, but yet it did not awe me. I fancied it was a
look that would relent.

I hesitated for a moment what course to pursue, and then, summoning all
my energy, I rose to my feet, tottered forward, and knelt down before
him.

"Oh, sir!" I cried, "you can never forgive me!"

That, or something like it, I said. They were all the words I could
utter.

I no longer looked him in the face. With my eyes fixed upon the deck, I
awaited his reply.

"Come, my lad! rise up!" said a voice, in a tone of kindness; "rise up,
and come with me into the cabin."

A hand was placed upon mine, I was raised to my feet, and led away. He
who walked by my side, and conducted me as I tottered along, was the
captain himself! This did not look like giving me to the sharks. Was
it possible that the ending should be of this merciful complexion?

As I passed into the cabin, I beheld my shadow in a mirror. I should
not have known myself. My whole body was as