replied the steersman in a sing-song professional
tone, as a huge steamer from the antipodes went slowly past, like a
mighty leviathan of the deep.

"Is it to the north, south, east, or west we're bound for, captain?"
asked Quin, with a voice like that of a conciliatory bassoon.

"I don't know where we're bound for," growled the skipper slowly.
"Starboard a bit; stiddy!"

"Steady!" sang out the man at the tiller.

A few hours carried them into the German Ocean. Here Quin thought he
would try again for a little information.

"Sure it's nor'-east we're steerin', captain," he remarked in a casual
way.

"No, it's not," growled the skipper, very much through his nose; "she's
headin' west."

"It's to _somewhere_ that coorse will take us in the ind, no doubt, if
we carry on?" suggested Quin, interrogatively.

"Ay; oot to sea," replied the skipper.

Quin was obliged to give it up for the time being.

For some time they were nearly becalmed; then, as the land dropped
astern and the shades of night deepened, the wind fell altogether, and,
when the stars came out, a profound calm prevailed over the gently
undulating sea. The exuberant spirits of our three friends were subdued
by the sweet influences around, and, as the hour for rest drew near, the
conversation, which at first became fitful, dropped at last to silence.

This was broken at length by Jackman saying, to the surprise of his
companions, "What d'you say to reading a chapter before turning in? I'm
fond of striking what's called a key-note. If we begin this
pleasure-trip with an acknowledgment of our dependence on God, we shall
probably have a really pleasant time of it. What say you?"

Both Mabberly and Barret gladly agreed to their friend's proposal--for
both had been trained in God-fearing families--though neither would have
had the courage to make the proposal himself. The crew were invited to
join, and thus family worship was established on board the _Fairy_ from
the first day.

Only one point is worthy of note in connection with this--although no
one noted it particularly at the time, namely, that the portion of
Scripture undesignedly selected contained that oft-quoted verse, "Ye
know not what a day may bring forth."

The truth of this was very soon thrust home upon them by stern
experience.

CHAPTER TWO.

THE VOYAGE AUSPICIOUSLY BEGUN AND PROMPTLY ENDED.

A voyage up the east coast of Great Britain and through the Pentland
Firth does