stumble on following Him, and I hope I may get others
to follow Him too."

"You needn't look for me in that following, Colley; but you are welcome
to the boy. It is all very fine to preach about God's love and care
for us when the sea is stirred by a pleasant breeze, just enough to
give us a capful of wind, and we are making our proper knots an hour
straight for port; but when the waves are roaring, and the timbers of
the ship groaning and creaking, and we know not but that we may go to
the bottom any minute--don't tell me it is God's love then, when poor
fellows are fighting the waves for life, knowing that if they are
drowned they leave wife and child poor and desolate. No, no, Colley;
that motion won't hold water."

"Begging your pardon, captain," said Colley, "it's better to trust in
the Lord's love in a storm, than curse, and swear, and shriek as you
and I have seen some of our mates take on, in mortal terror. You can't
deny that."

"I deny nothing," was the reply. "I am content to let things take
their course, and religion with the rest. Let them pray who like; it's
no odds to me."

Jack had been near during this conversation; and as the captain turned
on his heel and took up his position again at the helm, Colley called
Jack.

"Were you within ear-shot just now, boy?"

"Yes," Jack said. "I heard what you and the captain were saying. My
mother talks as you talk; and as to little Miss Joy, she is always
singing hymns, and loves taking Uncle Bobo's hand and trotting to
church with him. I wish you could see little Miss Joy; you would love
her as much as I do."

"P'r'aps I may see her one day. She is a pretty little thing, you say?"

"Pretty!" Jack said; "she is a great deal more than pretty. Her eyes
are like the sky; and how she can laugh, to be sure! it's like silver
bells ringing. Many a time, when I have been half wild with Aunt
Amelia's grating tongue, I have run over to Mr. Boyd's, and Joy has put
me right. She would always be on the watch for me when I came back
from school, and she calls my mother 'Goody,' and she is just like a
little daughter to her. Then when there were sharp words between Mr.
Boyd and his old servant, Joy made peace. She would climb on Uncle
Bobo's knee, and kiss him, and put her hand before his mouth, and beg
him to be quiet, and not get angry with Susan, because hard words did
no good."

"That's true, boy--that's true; and now I want to know what you are
goin