of the _Evening Star_, to procure
medicine and books, so that when David Bright drew near he observed the
deck to be pretty well crowded, while a long tail of boats floated
astern, and more were seen coming over the waves to the rendezvous.

It was no solemn meeting that. Shore-going folk, who are too apt to
connect religious gatherings with Sunday clothes, subdued voices, and
long faces, would have had their ideas changed if they had seen it. Men
of the roughest cast, mentally and physically, were there, in heavy
boots and dirty garments, laughing and chatting, and greeting one
another; some of the younger among them sky-larking in a mild way--that
is, giving an occasional poke in the ribs that would have been an
average blow to a "land-lubber," or a tip to a hat which sent it on the
deck, or a slap on the back like a pistol-shot. There seemed to be "no
humbug," as the saying goes, among these men; no pretence, and all was
kindly good-fellowship, for those who were on the Lord's side showed
it--if need were, said it--while those who were not, felt perhaps, that
they were in a minority and kept quiet.

"Come along, Joe, what cheer!"

"Here you are, Bill--how goes it, my hearty!"

"All well, praise the Lord."

"Ay, hasn't He sent us fine weather at the right time? just to let us
have a comfortable meetin'!"

"That's so, Dick, the Master does all things well."

"What cheer! Johnson, I'm glad to see _you_ here. The boy has got some
cocoa for'ard--have some?"

"Thank 'ee, I will."

Such were some of the expressions heartily uttered, which flew about as
friend met friend on the mission deck.

"I say, Harry," cried one, "was it you that lost your bowsprit this
mornin'?"

"No, it was the Swab," said Harry, "but we lost our net and all the gear
last night."

"That was unfort'nit," remarked a friend in a tone of sympathy, which
attracted the attention of some of those who stood near.

"Ah! lads," said the master of the mission-ship, "that was a small
matter compared with the loss suffered by poor Daniel Rodger. Did you
hear of it?"

"Yes, yes," said some. "No," said another. "I thought I saw his flag
half-mast this mornin', but was too fur off to make sure."

Most of the men crowded round the master of the smack, while, in deep
sad tones, he told how the son of Daniel Rodger had, during the night,
been swept overboard by a heavy sea and drowned before the boat could be
launched to rescue him. "But,"