He had served a tolerably long apprenticeship to the sea--his last voyage was his thirteenth to Melbourne as commander--and his reputation as Master of the _Suffolk_ had been so brilliant, that in the forty-seventh year of his age, and at the end of 1864, he was appointed Captain of the _London_, a vessel on which still greater care and cost had been expended than on the _Suffolk_, which he had so successfully navigated for upwards of eight years. The _London_ was built in pursuance of the plan for steaming to Australia round the Southern Cape. She made two very rapid voyages to Australia and back, and fully justified all the cost and care expended upon her construction. Her value, exclusive of cargo, was estimated at about 80,000_l._ Captain Martin’s share in her may have been about 5000_l._ The _London_ was therefore on her third voyage, and, commanded by a Captain whose good fortune had become almost proverbial, and belonging to a firm who, in their time, had never lost a ship, she set sail upon the voyage which was so soon terribly interrupted. But while she is yet in sight of Plymouth, we must call the reader’s attention to one passenger who has gone on board, whose name will live as long as there are hearts to feel what is life-giving in the gospel, what is majestic in faith, and what is sustaining in death. We need scarcely say that we allude to the Rev. D. J. Draper. [Illustration] CHAPTER IV. REV. DANIEL JAMES DRAPER. Daniel James Draper, a name that will henceforth be as honourably and widely known in England as it was previously in Australia, was born at Wickham, near Fareham in Hampshire, on August 28th, 1810. He was of respectable parentage, his father being the chief carpenter and builder in the village. Although unacquainted with the saving knowledge of the gospel, his parents were strictly moral in their lives, and regular attendants upon the services of the parish church; consequently the influences which surrounded the child’s opening years were favourable to the formation and growth of virtuous habits. He was brought, however, to religious decision by coming in contact with some devoted Wesleyans in the neighbouring village of Fareham. They had a chapel in the village, and in it the gospel was fervently and faithfully preached; and we doubt not the building--for it still exists--will henceforth be memorable on account of its being the place in which Daniel James Draper first saw the necessity of repentance towards God and faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ.