e said is beyond us, that vast, unknown, unknowable
something he called God."

"Oh," exclaimed Lucy, involuntarily.

"I'll admit the definition is not very plain," continued the captain.
"We get no sense of nearness from it. I would not know how to pray to or
worship such a God; but what are we to do? I have never heard anything
more satisfactory, except--well, only when I read my Bible."

"Why not take the plain statement of the Bible, then?" suggested
Chester.

"I try to, but my thinking of these things is not clear, because of the
interpretation the preachers put upon them--excuse the statement, Mr.
Strong; but perhaps you are an exception. I have never heard you
preach."

The minister smiled good-naturedly. Then he said, "Chester here, is
quite a preacher himself. Ask his opinion on the matter."

"I shall be happy to listen to him. However, I have an errand just now.
Will you go with me?" this to Chester.

Chester, annoyed for a moment at this unexpected turn, arose and
followed the captain into his quarters.

"Sit down," said the captain. "I was glad Mr. Strong gave me an
opportunity to get you away, for I have a matter I wish to speak to you
about, a matter which I think best to keep from both Mr. Strong and
Lucy--but which you ought to know."

"Yes."

The officer seated himself near his table on which were outspread charts
and maps. About the table hung a framed picture of the captain's wife
and child, a miniature of which he carried in his breast pocket.

"In the first place," began Captain Brown, "I want you to keep this
which I tell you secret until I deem it wise to be published. I can
trust you for that?"

"Certainly."

Always in the company of the passengers, Captain Brown's bearing was one
of assurance. He smiled readily. But now his face was serious, and
Chester saw lines of care and anxiety in it.

"I am sorry that I ever suggested to you and your friends--and my dear
friends they are too," continued the captain, "that you take this voyage
with me, for if anything should happen, I should never forgive myself.
However, there is no occasion for serious alarm--yet."

"What is the matter, captain?"

"I have been deceived regarding the condition of this ship. I was made
to understand that she was perfectly sea-worthy--this is my first trip
with her--but I now learn that the boilers are in a bad state and the
pumps are hardly in a working condition. There is--already a small leak
where it