he master assisted the
carpenter's crew in building the boat. We were fortunate in obtaining
all sorts of articles, amongst others, useful tools and a supply of
clothing. With the articles we found, the surgeon improved his
machinery for distilling the water, and at length he produced nearly
thirty gallons a-day. Our provisions, however, were getting short, and
at length we were reduced to half-a-pound of flour a-day, which we made
up into puddings with salt-water--very heavy dough, but it stopped our
hunger and kept us alive. It took us just a month from the day the
boat's keel was laid till she was launched. It was a day not to be
forgotten. The ladies and children stood round cheering lustily. We
called her the _Hope_. She sat well on the water, but leaked
considerably. We had therefore to haul her up again, and stop the
leaks. When again launched she was found to be thoroughly watertight.
It took us two days to get her rigged and stowed. All the casks we had
been able to save were filled with water, Mr Gilbert working day and
night to obtain a supply. At length, after a residence of five weeks on
the sand-bank, which would assuredly have proved our grave, had it not
been for the invention of our surgeon, we bade the sand-bank farewell,
and stood towards Moreton Bay, on the Australian coast. The wind was
fair and moderate. About thirty of us were on board the _Hope_, while
six preferred trusting their fortunes to the lifeboat. The wind
shifting, when we were, according to our calculations, about twenty
leagues off the land, drove us to the mouth of the Brisbane river. A
somewhat heavy sea was running, but the _Hope_ behaved beautifully, and
our captain knew the entrance. What an idea it gave us of perfect rest,
when, after being tossed about for so many days, we glided up the
tranquil river! The settlers came down as we reached the shore, and
warmly welcomed us. "Thanks, friends, thanks!" said our good master,
"but before I thank you I desire to thank One by whose means we have
been preserved," and kneeling down, the fine old man poured out his
heart in prayer. I am thankful to say that one and all of us followed
his example, and if we did not pray with as much fervour and earnestness
as he did, I believe that the prayer and the gratitude we expressed came
from our hearts.

Story 8--Chapter 1.

OWEN'S REVENGE--A TALE OF THE SEA.

I was then scarcely ten years old. My father possessed a fin