"Really, Dicey, you are a brave fellow," said Jack Ivyleaf one day, while Charles was taking his usual walk on deck for exercise. "I cannot bring myself to go among those sick people as you do. It's all very well to go forward and amuse them when they are in health, and inclined to be jolly; but to go and sit in the hot, sweltering atmosphere between-decks is quite another thing." "Possibly, Mr Ivyleaf, you do not reflect that those poor sick people have immortal souls like ourselves," observed Mr Paget, who had that instant joined them. "If we profess to be Christians we should look upon them as brothers in distress, and do our utmost for their souls as well as their bodies." "Ah, no, to be sure," said Jack, keeping his mouth agape, and gazing at Mr Paget. "I should have thought that sort of work might be left to the parson and doctor." "But as we have no parson on board, and the doctor is overworked, does it not strike you that the poor people have a right to our assistance?" asked Mr Paget. "Right! I don't see that they can have any right!" said Jack; "though it's very kind in you and Dicey to attend to them." Jack Ivyleaf looked as if he was afraid that his companions wished to enlist him in the service he dreaded, and was evidently trying to make his escape from them. The captain and first officer were on deck. The latter had been casting an eager look for some time to the north-west. "We shall have it soon, sir," he observed, pointing with his hand. "Turn the hands up, Mr Windy, and trim sails," said the captain in a cheerful voice. "See there, gentlemen, those clouds yonder are the pleasantest sight I have seen for many days." A low bank of clouds could be observed resting on the horizon. It grew higher and higher every instant, while a dark line could be seen extending across the ocean in the same direction. The sea, however, continued as calm as before; around the ship not a ripple could be seen on its surface. The crew, hurrying from below, went to their stations, all eyes being turned in the direction of the approaching clouds. Presently cats'-paws began to play over the mirror-like expanse, and then to disappear; the sails slowly bulged out, and speedily again hung down as listlessly as before against the masts. The dark line grew brighter and brighter; presently the loftier sails swelled out, and the ship began to glide smoothly over the ocean. The joyful news was communicated below, and all who were not in their beds came up on deck. The ship, at length feeling the power of the helm, was put before the wind. The dark line now increased gradually in width, and seemed covered with sparkling foam; a rushing noise was heard; in another instant almost the aspect of the whole ocean was changed; the sails bulged out steadily; waves, at first but small, danced up astern, and on either side their crests hissing and foaming, while the spray in broad sheets flew off from their summits. Now the