The man in
the boat started up at the sound of a human voice, and perceiving Newton
close to the bows, lent over and extended his hand towards, him. Newton
seized hold of it, and then was whirled round by the tide fore and aft
with the side of the boat, with such violence as nearly to drag the
other man out, and half fill the boat with water. It was with great
difficulty, although assisted by the occupant, that Newton contrived at
last to get in; when, exhausted with the efforts he had made, he
remained a few seconds without motion; the man, whom he had thus risked
his life to save, perceiving his condition, and not speaking to him.

"We have no time to lose," said Newton, at last: "take an oar, and let
us pull in for the shore. If once we are swept down to the narrows
there will be little chance for us."

The other complied, without speaking; and, after a few minutes exertion
the boat was safely landed on the Liverpool side of the river.

"The Lord be praised!" ejaculated Newton's companion, as he laid on his
oar. "I did not call upon _Him_ in vain; your accident has been the
means of my preservation."

"How do you mean?" inquired Newton.

"Why, did you not fall overboard?" replied the other.

Newton then explained to his companion what we have already related to
the reader, ending his narrative with the observation, that when he
perceived him praying for assistance in his peril, he could not resist
the appeal.

"God will reward you, young man," continued he: "and now I will explain
to you how it was that I was adrift, like a bear in a washing-tub. My
first-mate was below. I had just relieved the deck, for in this blowing
weather we must keep watch in harbour. The men were all at their
dinner, when I heard the boat thumping under the main channels. I got
into her to ease off a fathom or two of the painter; but as I hauled her
ahead to get at the bend, it appears that the monkey of a boy who made
her fast, and has been but a few months at sea, had made a `_slippery
hitch_;' so away it went, and I was adrift. I hailed them on board; but
they did not hear me, although the first-mate might have, for he was in
the cabin, and the stern window was up; but hailing to windward is hard
work, such weather as this; the words are blown back again down your own
throat. And now, let me know a little about you, my lad, and see
whether I cannot in return be of some use to you."

Newton's history was soon told; and, a