own so big and manly."

I could nearly have cried, I felt so happy, as I answered, "I hope not,
Mrs Bland, and I have to thank my friend Medley here for assisting me
to act rightly."

"A Christian friend is a valuable help on board ship, as well as
everywhere else," observed Captain Bland. "I am truly glad that you
have found such an one in Andrew Medley, whose father I have the
pleasure of knowing. It will do his heart good to hear this account of
his son. I wish there were more like you two young men at sea."

The ladies now invited us into the cabin to have some tea, and as we sat
there, helped by Mary, we felt quite like different beings to those we
had been for so many months past.

I heard some of the news from home, which I need not repeat, but we had
not much time for conversation, as, having shifted into our working
clothes, we had to hurry on deck to assist the crew in getting the ship
to rights. We and our two Kroomen set to with a will, and three of the
sick men turned out of their bunks to help. It was heavy work though,
and in addition during two hours in each watch we had to keep the pumps
going. While daylight lasted Mary remained on deck, and her presence
incited us to exertion. I thought of the danger to which she would be
exposed should bad weather again come on, and the ship not be prepared
to encounter it. At length we entered the harbour, a gloomy enough
looking place, surrounded by high, black, rugged cliffs, yet being well
protected from all winds, we were glad to find ourselves safe in it. I
almost dreaded the arrival of the "Eagle," as I feared that I should
have to return to her and my rough associates. It was not the hard work
I disliked, but the utter want of humanising influences on board the
"Eagle," whereas, independent of the effect produced by Mrs Bland and
Mary, a far higher moral tone prevailed on board the "Lady Alice"; the
mates were well-conducted men, and several among the crew were real
Christians, who made the Bible the rule of life. I do not mean to say
that the ship was a perfect Paradise; there were some bad, wild
characters, but they were kept in check by the rest. We were too busy
to escort the ladies on shore, and they had no fancy to go by
themselves, although there were neither wild beasts nor savages to be
feared. We were waiting, however, for the arrival of the "Eagle" to
heave the ship down, so as to get at the leak; and as the position she
would then