e to be praised, or let off from punishment, because of
confessing, for I shouldn't have done it if Grandma Elsie hadn't talked to
me about the duty of it, and persuaded me to take courage to do it because
it was right."

"Bless her for it! the dear, good woman!" the captain said, with earnest
gratitude. "But I think, Max, you do deserve commendation for taking her
advice. I have something more to say to you, my son, but not now, for the
call to dinner will come directly, and I must go and prepare for it."

There was a hearty embrace between them, and they separated, the captain
going to his room to make his toilet and Max to the other house, where he
soon managed to let Grandma Elsie into the secret of his confession and
its happy result, thanking her with tears in his eyes for her kind, wise
advice.

Elsie rejoiced with and for him, telling him he had made her heart glad
and that she hoped he would always have courage to do right.

As Max prepared for bed that night he was wondering to himself what more
his father had to say to him, when he heard the captain's step on the
stairs, and the next moment he came in.

Max started a little apprehensively. Could it be that his father had
changed his mind, and was about to give him the dreaded flogging after
all?

But with one glance up into the grave yet kindly face looking down at him,
all his fear vanished. He drew a long breath of relief.

"My boy," the captain said, laying his hand on Max's shoulder, "I told you
I had something more to say to you, and I have come to say it now. You are
'my first-born, my might and the beginning of my strength.' Never until
you are a father yourself can you know or understand the tide of love,
joy, and thankfulness that swept over me at the news of your birth. Nor do
you know how often, on land and on sea, in storm and in calm, my thoughts
dwell with deep anxiety upon the future of my son, not only for time, Max,
but for eternity."

The captain paused for a moment, his emotions seemingly too big for
utterance, and Max, throwing his arms around his neck, hid his face on his
breast.

"Papa," he sobbed, "I didn't know you loved me so much! Oh, I wish I'd
always been a good boy!"

The captain sat down and drew him to his knee.

"My dear son," he said, "I have no doubt that you are sorry for every act
of disobedience toward me, and I fully and freely forgive them all; but
what I want you to consider now is your sinfulness toward Go