I covered my confusion by taking her hand, and resting it on my arm again. "Do you mean," she said, "that all you have done has been for my sake only--out of humanity--that you would do as much for anybody else?" "No," said I, boldly. Again she withdrew her hand and remained silent, and I made up my mind not to interrupt her thoughts. After a few moments she went to the ship's side, and stood there; sometimes looking at the stars, and sometimes at the water that stretched away into the gloom in heavy breaking seas. The wind was singing shrilly up aloft, but the sounds of the pumping ceased on a sudden. I awaited the approach of the boatswain with inexpressible anxiety. After an interval I saw his figure come up the poop ladder. "Pumps suck!" he roared out. "Hurrah!" I shouted. "Down with you for grog all round," for the other two were following the boatswain. But they all came aft first and stood near the wheel, blowing like whales, and Miss Robertson joined the group. "If it's no worse than this, bo'sun," I exclaimed, "she'll do." "Aye, she'll do, sir; but it's hard work. My arms feel as though they wos tied up in knots." "So do mine," said the steward. "Shall I take the wheel?" asked Cornish. "No; go and get some grog and turn in, all of you. I am as fresh as a lark, and will stay here till twelve o'clock," I replied. The steward at once shuffled below. "Boatswain, ask Mr. Royle to let me take the wheel," said Miss Robertson. "He has been talking to me for the last half-hour and sometimes held the wheel with one hand. I am sure I can hold it." "As you won't go below, Miss Robertson, you shall steer; but I will stop by you," I said. "That will be of no use!" she exclaimed. Cornish smothered a laugh and walked away. "Now, bo'sun, down with you," I cried. "I'll have you up again shortly to sound the well. But half an hour's sleep is something. If you get knocked up, I lose half the ship's company--two-thirds of it." "All right, sir," he replied, with a prodigious yawn. "You an' the lady 'll know how to settle this here business of steering." And off he went. "You see how obedient these men are, Miss Robertson. Why will you not obey orders, and get some sleep?" "I have offended you, Mr. Royle, and I am very, very sorry." "Let us make peace then," I said, holding out my hand. She took it; but when I had got her hand, I would not let it go for some moments. She was leaving the deck in silence when she came back and said-- "If we should have to leave this ship suddenly, I should not like--it would make me unhappy for ever to think of poor papa left in her." She spoke, poor girl, with a great effort. I answered immediately-- "Any wish you may express shall be carried out." "He would go down in this ship without a prayer said for him," she exclaimed, sobbing. "Will you leave this with me? I promise you that no tenderness, no reverence, no sincere sorrow shall be wanting."