best on earth, where all his tender affections were centred. The
Isle of Wight was soon passed. The Land's End faded in the distance,
and the stout ship stood across the Atlantic. William Penn soon
recovered his energy and spirits, and the captain promised a speedy and
prosperous voyage. The governor was walking the deck, talking earnestly
with his friend Pearson, a man of large mind and generous heart, when
the captain came to them.

"I fear, friends," he said, "that one of our passengers is not long for
this world. She has been unwell since she came on board at Deal. Her
lips are blue, and dark marks cover her countenance."

The governor and his friend instantly went below; a young girl of some
twelve years old lay on her bed in one of the close cabins.

"I fear me much it is the small-pox," said Pearson. "Yet it would be
well if we could avoid alarming the other passengers."

The news, however, soon spread, and, alas! so did the disease. Before
the next day closed in, the young girl had breathed her last, and her
body was committed to the sea. By that time signs of the fearful
disorder had appeared on four other persons. The governor, Pearson, and
others went about the ship, urging the passengers to air and fumigate
their cabins, beseeching them also not to lose courage, and fearlessly
visiting those who were already attacked. The sun rose, and ere it sunk
again into the ocean, death had claimed two other victims. All this
time no sign of alarm was perceptible on the countenance of the
governor. He set a noble example to his companions, as, indeed, did his
friend Pearson. Perseveringly they went about at all hours of the night
and day, attending to the sick, speaking words of comfort to them, and
pointing to a Saviour who died to save them; and urging them to put
their trust in Him, so that they might not fear, even should they be
summoned from the world. It was a time to try all. Some who had
appeared weak and nervous before, now exhibited courage and confidence
in God's protecting mercy; while others, who had seemed bold and
fearless, trembled lest they should be overtaken by the fell disease.
Young and old, however, were attacked alike. Day after day one of their
number was summoned away, and before the shores of America appeared in
sight, thirty-one had fallen victims to the disease. With the change of
climate its virulence appeared to cease, and when the _Welcome_ sailed
up the Delaware, al