On the 4th of the next month we departed for our second West Indian cruise with the fleet. I may here remark that we had three men on board who bore the names of Shrodnisky, Taglabeau, and Dobrisky, their nationality being Russian, French, and Dutch respectively. The former had the honour of being the ship's organist, but for some reason now resigned. The chaplain understanding I could play, sent for me, and asked if I would accept the post of organist and commence the duty on the following Sunday. I was very glad and thankful of such an opportunity presented to me, and replied in the affirmative, not entirely because it meant fivepence a day extra to my service pay, though of course this was a consideration, but mainly for the reason that it would afford me privileges for musical culture. The Sunday came, and I must have played the instrument satisfactorily, as at the conclusion of the service the captain congratulated me, intimating also that free access to his cabin, in which the organ was kept, should be afforded me whenever he was staying ashore at any port on the station. I thanked him, and seized such opportunities as they presented themselves for the purpose of practising. It may be of interest to remark that when church was 'rigged,' capstan bars supported by a bucket at each end constituted the extempore pew. I have often wished that such arrangements might be made in some places of worship. It would ensure a wide-awake congregation, for the seats would then be three inches in width without a back. On this second visit to the West-Indies we had many poor Sundays-- poor, I mean, from a sailor's point of view. The organ was often lashed, and I had enough to do to keep my balance, the crew on such occasions clinging to fixtures such as hatchways and stanchions with one hand, and holding the hymn-book in the other, singing heartily:-- "Eternal Father! strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave." But some may ask, Had the desire to become a preacher diminished? Not at all; it was always present with me, and truth to tell, I was ever informing those around me, and even civilian friends ashore, that on reaching England I should enter the ministry, though at that time of day I knew not how my freedom was to be brought about. But confident I was that this passion for preaching was not implanted within me to be quenched by adverse circumstances, and often would this verse appeal to me forcibly: "O rest in the Lord; wait patiently for Him, and He shall give thee thy heart's desire."