e. But it's all
over with me, Ralph. I feel that there's no chance o' my bein' saved."

"Don't say that, Bill," said I, in deep compassion, "don't say that. I'm
quite sure there's hope even for you, but I can't remember the words of
the Bible that make me think so. Is there not a Bible on board, Bill?"

"No; the last that was in the ship belonged to a poor boy that was taken
aboard against his will. He died, poor lad, I think, through ill
treatment and fear. After he was gone the captain found his Bible and
flung it overboard."

I now reflected, with great sadness and self-reproach, on the way in
which I had neglected my Bible; and it flashed across me that I was
actually in the sight of God a greater sinner than this blood-stained
pirate; for, thought I, he tells me that he never read the Bible, and was
never brought up to care for it; whereas I was carefully taught to read
it by my own mother, and had read it daily as long as I possessed one,
yet to so little purpose that I could not now call to mind a single text
that would meet this poor man's case, and afford him the consolation he
so much required. I was much distressed, and taxed my memory for a long
time. At last a text did flash into my mind, and I wondered much that I
had not thought of it before.

"Bill," said I, in a low voice, "'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and
thou shalt be saved.'"

"Ay, Ralph, I've heard the missionaries say that before now, but what
good can it do me? It's not for me that. It's not for the likes o' me."

I knew not now what to say, for, although I felt sure that that word was
for him as well as for me, I could not remember any other word whereby I
could prove it.

After a short pause, Bill raised his eyes to mine and said, "Ralph, I've
led a terrible life. I've been a sailor since I was a boy, and I've gone
from bad to worse ever since I left my father's roof. I've been a pirate
three years now. It is true I did not choose the trade, but I was
inveigled aboard this schooner and kept here by force till I became
reckless and at last joined them. Since that time my hand has been
steeped in human blood again and again. Your young heart would grow cold
if I--; but why should I go on? 'Tis of no use, Ralph; my doom is
fixed."

"Bill," said I, "'Though your sins be red like crimson, they shall be
white as snow.' 'Only believe.'"

"Only believe!" cried Bill, starting up on his elbow; "I've heard men
talk o' belie