The Black Forge Mills : $b or, Up the King's highway
John Stuart Mill · en
"There was no mistaking even in that storm and darkness that the great
blessing of salvation had come to him. The next day he told the
captain, and then he began praying for me. We reached Liverpool after a
stormy passage. The captain had, for some reason, taken a great liking
to Dick, and now took him to his own church, and before we sailed again
Dick was baptized. Our next voyage was on the same ship, and with the
same captain. Dick wouldn't leave him, and I stayed by Dick. This time
we had taken cargo for Hong Kong, and had a long voyage before us. We
had been out but a few days when the captain gave Dick some books, and
told him if he would only study he would teach him navigation, and fit
him to take command of a ship. The lad didn't need any urging, and the
way he pored over those books set me to thinking that I might learn
navigation too. The captain consented, and, with our other duties,
we soon had enough on our hands to keep us busy most of the time. I
had long before this left off all drinking and swearing; in fact, the
captain wouldn't allow them on board the ship. I began now to read my
Bible daily, but no light or peace came.
"We had rounded the Cape, and had made a big run on toward our
destination, when a sudden squall struck us. All sail was out at the
time, and the crew was ordered aloft to take it in. One fellow named
Jones, a green hand, was at work on the mizzen-top-sail, when a strong
gust of wind struck him. He let right go of the sail, and clung to the
yards for dear life. The loosened sail was caught by the wind, and the
spar was wrenched from its place, and down it came with a great crash
to the deck. Dick and I were at the wheel, and saw it coming; but he
saw what I did not--that the captain was right under where it, with the
next roll of the ship, would strike. With a cry, he let go the wheel,
and sprang forward to save the captain. He succeeded in this, but
before he could get out of the way himself it struck him upon the back
and crushed him to the deck. We picked him up, and at the captain's
order carried him into the cabin, but it was soon apparent that he
could not live. His back was broken and he was injured internally.
Though he suffered greatly, he made no complaint, and was as happy
as could be at the thought of meeting his Saviour. About dark it was
evident that he was fast sinking.