Steadfast_ to
Champion, as I have long known he wishes to make your sister Hannah his
wife; and allowing her to accompany him, with you as his second mate, as
I feel sure she and the ship will be well taken care of. However,
though there is no doubt that Champion would make a much better income
in command of the _Steadfast_ than as captain of a mission ship, yet I
will not thwart his views, if he resolves to do as you tell me he
wishes."

Frequently during the voyage the subject was discussed; and though
formerly Captain Graybrook would have thought his young mate mad to
entertain such a notion, he now cordially entered into his views, and it
was settled that Hannah should decide what was to be done.

At length the _Steadfast_, freighted with the richest cargo Captain
Graybrook had ever brought into port, was safely at anchor. As soon as
he could leave the ship, accompanied by Harry, he hastened home.

The deep anxiety Mrs Graybrook and Hannah long had felt was set at
rest.

Mr Champion, directly his duties allowed him, joined them. Hannah
discovered the all-important change which had taken place in his mind.
She no longer hesitated to promise him her hand.

He told her of the heathen state of the people inhabiting the countless
isles of the Pacific, of the earnest wish he entertained of being
instrumental in carrying the gospel among them, of the offer her father
had made to him of the command of the _Steadfast_, and of his own wish
to command a missionary ship, or to engage still more directly in the
glorious work by going out as a minister of the gospel.

"I believe that you may be as usefully employed in following your
profession as in the latter work, but on whichever you decide I am ready
to accompany you," was Hannah's answer.

As no missionary vessel was ready, Leonard Champion, soon after his
marriage, took command of the _Steadfast_, and, accompanied by his wife,
with Harry and Dickey Bass as his mates, and Tom Hayes as boatswain,
made two voyages to the Pacific; and while acting as the father of his
crew, and bringing many to a knowledge of the truth, he was the means,
by touching whenever he could at missionary stations, of rendering much
assistance to those engaged in the most glorious of enterprises; while,
by the example he and his crew set, and by the efforts he made at every
heathen place at which he touched, he gained the goodwill of the
inhabitants, and disposed them to think favourably of