tation, mingled with
awe. It is upon the ocean that man learns his own weakness, and his
own strength--he feels the light vessel trembling beneath him, as if
it feared dissolution--he hears the strained sheets moaning in almost
conscious agony--he sees the great waves dashing from stem to stern in
relentless glee, and he feels that he is a sport and a plaything in
the grasp of a mightier power; he learns his own insignificance. Yet
the firm deck remains--the taut sheets and twisted halliards give not
away; and he learns a proud reliance on his own skill and might, when
he finds that with but a narrow hold between him and death, he can
outride the storm, and o'ermaster the wave.

Such were the thoughts which filled the mind of Henry Morris, as he
stood by the side of Captain Greene on the quarter-deck of the Raker;
as he stood with his left arm resting on the main-boom, and his
gracefully turned little tarpaulin thrown back from a broad, high
forehead, surrounded by dark and clustering curls, and with his black,
brilliant eyes lighted up with the enthusiasm of thought, he presented
a splendid specimen of an American sailor. The epaulette upon his
shoulder denoted that he was an officer; he was indeed second in
command in the privateer. He was a native of New Jersey, and his
father had been in Revolutionary days one of the "Jarsey Blues," as
brave and gallant men as fought in that glorious struggle.

"Well, Harry," said Captain Greene, "it's a dirty night, but I'll turn
in a spell, and leave you in command."

"Ay, ay, sir."

Captain Greene threw out a huge quid of tobacco which had rested for
some time in his mouth, walked the deck a few times fore and aft,
gaped as if his jaws were about to separate forever, and then
disappeared through the cabin-door.

Henry Morris, though an universal favorite with the crew and officers
under his command, was yet a strict disciplinarian, and being left in
command of the deck at once went the rounds of the watch, to see that
all were on the look out. The night had far advanced before he saw any
remissness; at length, however, he discovered a brawny tar stowed away
in a coil of rope, snoring in melodious unison with the noise of the
wind and wave; his mouth was open, developing an amazing
circumference. Morris looked at him for some time, when, with a smile,
he addressed a sailor near him.

"I say, Jack Marlinspike!"

"Ay, ay, sir."

"Jack, get some oakum."

Jack speedily br