ully in
certain portions of New England, having little of either heart or soul
in them, and which are in truth a cheap commodity, used more to advance
commercial than spiritual purposes.

There was still another reason why these two old men were found in the
city on that night. Nothing had been heard from Tite, or indeed the ship
on which he sailed, for more than a year, and great anxiety was felt for
her safety. A report, however, had reached Nyack that day that one of
the Hudson Company's ships had arrived at New York, and the hope that
she might bring some tidings of the ship Pacific quickened his actions.

CHAPTER XXV.

AN UNLUCKY VOYAGE.

Let us go a little back, reader, and trace the course of the ship
Pacific and those on board of her. The iceberg had rendered her almost
helpless, and we left her bearing up for Punta Arenas. Having made
temporary repairs there she sailed for Coquimbo, where she was
thoroughly refitted and provided with new anchors and chains. The great
expense and delay incident to this had seriously interfered with the
prospects of the voyage, and to such of the crew and officers as were on
shares left but little hope of returns. This naturally produced a
feeling of discouragement and despondency.

And when the ship was about to proceed on her voyage to cruise among the
islands of the Pacific, the second officer disappeared mysteriously, and
Coquimbo was searched in vain for him. Tite was accordingly promoted to
fill his place. The crew had great confidence in him, for he had shown
himself not only the best sailor on board, but had exhibited in cases of
great peril such quickness and courage as are necessary to the highest
standard of seamanship. Hence it was that the change, while it did not
dispel the gloom occasioned by the second officer's mysterious
disappearance, gave satisfaction to all on board, except, perhaps, Mr.
Higgins, the first officer, who had almost from the day of leaving New
York regarded Tite with a feeling of undisguised jealousy.

The lucky old ship Pacific, with her famous old whale-killing captain,
had made a bad voyage of it this time.

Fifteen months had passed since she took her departure off the Highlands
of New York, and now she had just weighed anchor, and with her canvas
spread once more was bidding good bye to Coquimbo, and proceeding to
cruise among the islands of the South Sea.

Weeks passed and still the old ship tumbled and rolled about on the