t the first
mate should have behaved so gallantly, or--although I tried to put the
thought from me--angry that he had escaped. We pulled away until
rounding the stern of the brig, we got alongside, when a cheer burst
from the crew as they saw that we had the first mate and little Jem
safe. Eager hands stood by to lift them or board, for even Uncle Jack
was still too weak to help himself. While the boat was being hoisted up
the captain directed Mr Blyth and me to carry the boy into his own
cabin, he and two of the men following with the first mate, who was
placed in his own berth. We, in the meantime, had got the boy's clothes
off him and had wrapped him up in a dry blanket, while we kept chafing
his chest, arms, and feet until he breathed freely. He soon returned to
consciousness, and looking about him was much surprised to find where he
was.

"Where's Mr Radburn? Oh, sir, have you got him safe?" was his first
question.

He is all right, my lad.

"It's that bird, sir; it's that bird, sir! Oh, save me from it!" he
continued crying out.

"The bird won't hurt you, and Mr Radburn is safe in his cabin, I hope,"
answered Mr Blyth, in a kind voice.

As soon as I could I went to see how the first mate was getting on. He
had swallowed a cup of hot tea, for we were just going to breakfast, and
this had greatly restored him; and though the captain had advised him to
be still, he was putting on his dry clothes, and in a short time joined
us at table.

Uncle Jack said that he had felt the tips of the bird's wing pass over
his head each time that it swooped down, but that he had taken off his
shoe and attempted to defend himself, until the bird had seized upon it
and carried it off. "It will find the shoe a tough morsel to digest,"
he added, laughing; "but truly I have reason to thank God that it did
not strike either little Jem or me with its sharp beak, and I was so
exhausted that if the boat hadn't come up when she did, I should have
been unable to keep him longer at bay."

Either Mr Blyth or I stayed by "Little Jem" all day, the captain and
first mate every now and then looking in. By night he was well enough
to be removed to his own berth forward, where the men promised to look
after him.

The captain and Mr Blyth complimented the first mate on his gallant
conduct, but he seemed to think he had done nothing out of the way.

"There is one thing a man should consider before he jumps overboard, and
that is, w