that I had just and kind-hearted superiors, and
that my condition was far better than I might have expected to find it.
Still this reflection could not mitigate the great source of my grief--
my sudden separation from my wife and my ignorance of her fate. After
this I was placed in a watch, and went regularly about my duty. I did
my best to perform it, and quickly recovered my strength.

Ours had always been considered a smart ship, and though our captain was
a kind man, he sacrificed a great deal to smartness. The most active
and bustling men who could make the most show of doing things smartly,
often gained more credit than they deserved.

It was one forenoon my watch below when I heard the cry of "All hands
shorten sail!" I had been stationed in the fore-top. I sprang on deck
as fast as my strength would allow, but I had not recovered my usual
activity. "Fly aloft, there! fly aloft, you lazy scoundrel, or a
rope's-end will freshen your way a bit!" I heard a voice cry, close to
my ear. It was Iffley's. His countenance showed that he was capable of
executing his threats. My blood boiled. I could do nothing. I could
say nothing. In a moment I understood the bitter enmity which he had
allowed to enter and to rankle in his bosom. I scarcely dared again to
look at him. I hurried on. A sudden squall had struck the ship--
unexpected after the long calms to which we had been subject. She was
heeling over to her lower deck ports. The exertion of all hands was
indeed required to shorten sail. I found Iffley following close after
me. I sprang up the rigging and quickly reached the fore-top. I could
not help seeing his face as he came up. It wore the expression of most
malignant hatred. "Lay out; be smart about it, my lads!" cried the
captain of the top, as the fore-topsail-yard came rattling down.

In an instant the yard was covered with active forms hurrying out to its
extreme ends. I made a spring to get out to the weather-earing. I had
got it in my hand and was hauling on it, when I saw the countenance of
Iffley, wearing the same expression as before, close to me. There was
now in it a triumphant expression, as if he hoped that his vindictive
feelings were about to be gratified. Still not a word did he utter. No
one on board would have guessed that we had ever before met. I still
kept to my resolution.

The gale came down on us stronger than ever. The officers were urging
the men to greater sp