k. Had we been asleep aft the brig
would have filled in a few minutes. Jim wanted to remain forward, but I
persuaded him to come aft, being sure that he would sleep too soundly to
hear the water coming in should the leaks break out afresh, and might be
drowned before he awoke. Having done all we could to secure the
handspikes, we crawled rather than walked to the cabin.

We were thankful to find that the captain was asleep, so, without loss
of time, Jim crept into one of the side berths, and I lay down on the
after locker. In half a minute I had forgotten what had happened and
where I was. As the old captain and we two lads lay fast asleep on
board the demasted brig out there in the wild North Sea, a kind
Providence watched over us. We might have been run down, or, the leaks
breaking out afresh, the vessel might have foundered before we awoke.

A voice which I supposed to be that of the captain aroused me. The sun
was shining down through the cabin sky-light. The vessel was floating
motionless. Not a sound did I hear except Jim's snoring. I tried to
jump up, but found my limbs terribly stiff, every joint aching. I made
my way, however, to the old man's berth.

"How are you, Captain Finlay?" I asked.

He did not reply. I stepped nearer. His eyes were closed. I thought
he was dead; yet I heard his voice, I was certain of that. I stood
looking at him, afraid to ascertain if what I feared was the case. A
feeling of awe crept over me. I did not like to call out to Jim, yet I
wanted him to come to me. At last I staggered over to the berth in
which Jim was sleeping. "Jim! Jim!" I said, "I am afraid the captain
is taken very bad."

Jim did not awake, so I shook him several times till he sat up, still
half asleep and rubbing his eyes.

"What's the matter?" he asked. "Oh--ay, I know. We'll turn to at the
pumps, Peter."

I repeated what I had said. He was on his feet in a moment. He moved
at first with as much difficulty as I had done. "Come along," I said,
and together we went over to the state cabin. We looked at the old man
without speaking. After some time Jim mustered courage to touch his
hand. To my great relief the captain opened his eyes.

"Praise God, who has preserved us during the night, my lads!" were the
first words he spoke, and while we stood by his side he offered up a
short prayer.

He then told us to go on deck and learn the state of the weather.

We hurried up. The sun