lm, while the mate and Nub pulled away as hard as their strength would
allow, neither the doctor nor Dan being able to exert themselves. As
the sun got high in the sky, and distant objects could be seen, the mate
stood up and looked out anxiously for the land. "I see it," he
exclaimed; "but it's still a long way off. We must not despair however,
my friends." Saying this, he again sat down.

"Pull away, lads; pull away!" faintly sang out poor Nub, though his
strength was almost gone; for, in order that Walter and Alice might have
enough, he had eaten but little food for many hours. The wind once more
came ahead, and unless they continued to exert themselves, they might be
blown back again a considerable distance. Nub had not spoken for some
time, still pulling on; but suddenly his oar fell from his grasp, and he
sank down in the bottom of the boat, while the oar, on which so much
depended, fell into the water. Dan Tidy, who was sitting next to him,
in vain attempted to catch it. It passed by, too far off for Walter to
reach. The mate in vain endeavoured with his single oar so to manage
the boat as to come up with it, and in the violent efforts he made, his
oar almost broke in two. The helpless voyagers now floated on the wild
waters deprived of the means of urging on their boat.

"What are we to do, Mr Shobbrok?" asked Walter, as the mate stepped aft
and sat down by the side of the young people.

"All we can do is to pray to God for help, for vain is the help of man,"
answered the mate.

"Oh yes, yes! that we will!" exclaimed Alice; and she and her brother
lifted up their hands and eyes to heaven, and uttered a prayer, which
was surely heard, as true prayers always are.

Poor Nub lay in the bows, too much exhausted to move; Dan Tidy sat with
his head cast down, hope almost gone, his brave Irish heart for the
first time yielding to despair; while the surgeon, nearly overcome with
weakness, watched the boatswain, who lay at the bottom of the boat with
his head resting on one of the thwarts, holding on by the side, his
groans expressing the terror and agony of his mind. Gradually the
wretched man's hands relaxed their hold, and his eyes became fixed.

"He has gone to his terrible account," said Mr Lawrie at length. Not
another word was spoken for some time.

"We must bury the man," said the mate; "the sooner that's done the
better." The doctor summoned Dan to assist him, and they and the mate
taking the