oned in the Mersey, and that she was short of hands, especially of
three or four steady men; and when I mentioned to him that I had been
boatswain of a man-of-war schooner, he said that he was certain I would
get a berth on board. I was weary of foreign voyages, so I accompanied
him at once, as he proposed, to the commander, and was entered
immediately.

Ever since have I had reason to bless that day. The commander was a
pious, excellent man, who, aware of the value of his own soul, was ever
solicitous for the eternal welfare of all those placed under his
authority. He soon found that though I had some knowledge of the Bible,
and much of other things, I was ignorant of the way of salvation. He
called me often into his cabin. Kindly and affectionately he spoke to
me, and set before me the truth of the gospel as it is in Christ Jesus.
As he spoke to me, so did he, from time to time, to all the rest. He,
truly, was not ashamed of the Master he served. At an early age he had
hoisted his flag, and had ever since fought bravely under it, against
the scorn of the world, against evil in all shapes. Even the most
obdurate were softened and influenced by the example he set, though they
might not receive the truth with gladness of heart. We were what all
ships' companies might become--a Christian crew, though not without
faults and shortcomings; but we loved Christ, and worshipped him with
singleness of heart. At the same time I am very certain that no crew
ever more efficiently did their duty to their country than we performed
ours.

For three years I served on board that vessel, and at the end of that
time was sent round to Woolwich, where she had been fitted out, to be
paid off.

The last time I landed at Liverpool, I met an old gentleman walking
along the street. I looked in his face. It was Captain Carr! I told
him who I was. Of course he had thought I had been lost, and was very
much surprised to see me. He was shocked to hear of the death of my
companions, and deeply interested in the account I gave him of my
captivity. To my no little satisfaction he told me that he had not
invested the money, which was mine by rights, from the last voyage; and
that he thought he could obtain fifty pounds from the owners as my share
of profits. This sum I afterwards received. It was all that remained
out of the thousands I had made in the course of my life.

I was now sixty years of age. I had recovered my health on