you can manage the men, which
is more important. We have a rough lot, I fear."

Dick without farther ado accepted the appointment.

We were bound, in the first instance, for Barbadoes, but expected to
visit other islands on our return. We had a fine run across the
Atlantic. Though at first I felt a little strange, sitting in dignified
solitude in my cabin, I soon got accustomed to it.

The first and second mates were sensible fellows, and learned to esteem
Dick for his excellent qualities. He managed the men admirably, and got
more work out of them than they could, so that all things went smoothly.
He did not abuse them for swearing or coarse language, but, by bringing
out his Bible, he got them to listen; and then, pointing to God's Word,
asked them whether such and such things could be right in His sight.
Thus by degrees they were induced to give up a habit which had become
with most of them a second nature.

We had just made the north end of the Caribbean Islands soon after
daylight, and were going about, to beat up to our port, as the wind was
against us, when the look-out at the mast-head caught sight of a large
ship which appeared to be on shore on a reef. Her sails were furled,
and she was heeling over greatly. I accordingly stood on, to render her
any assistance she might require. As we drew near her, we saw that she
was, indeed, hard and fast, while a heavy sea broke on the reef and
threatened her with destruction. Through my glass I could see that the
crew were employed in lowering the yards, probably for the purpose of
building a raft. I, ordering the first mate to stand off the land,
lowered two boats. I took the command of one, and Dick of the other,
and we pulled towards the wreck. The tide was rising, and as we got
near we saw that the breakers were dashing with increasing fury against
the ship. A boat crowded with people had got away on the lee side
towards the land, and another, attempting to follow her example, was
swamped, and we feared that all the people in her were lost. To
approach on the weather side was impossible. I therefore directed Dick
to follow me, and pulled away to the south'ard, hoping to get round it,
as I did not believe that it extended many miles in that direction. We
had, however, a long pull, and by the time we got into comparatively
smooth water, having passed round the southern end of the reef, I was
afraid that the fate of those on board must be sealed. When