d,
you cannot expect to find it; yet if you do seek it, you will assuredly
find it, for He hath said, `Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye
shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.'"

Archy listened attentively to what the captain said, and tried to
understand it, but the danger which had alarmed his conscience had
passed away, and when he went forward and mixed again with his careless
shipmates, he forgot much that had been said. Still, when he turned
into his bunk, he did try to pray; but he dared not bravely kneel down
in the sight of others lest they should laugh at him, and he had been so
long unaccustomed to offer up prayer, that he could not even think of
what words to say. Captain Irvine, however, did not forget him, and day
after day he called him into the cabin, or spoke to him on deck. He
gave him a Bible also, and marked many passages in it, which Archy
promised to read. The captain had also a library of books on board,
which were lent to the men, and two or three of these he put into
Archy's hands as likely to be useful to him. Old Andrew also frequently
took an opportunity of speaking to him, but his work occupied most of
the day, and when he went below he was generally too sleepy to sit long
over a book. Max and others also did their utmost to interrupt him, and
he made but little progress either in reading the Bible or any other of
the books which had been lent him. Still, in some respects, he was
trying to follow the good advice which the captain had given him. Weak,
however, are all our efforts when we trust to our own strength. Archy
did not seek assistance from the only source which can give it, and,
consequently, his good resolutions were soon scattered to the wind.

CHAPTER FOUR.

ARCHY WISHING TO BE PRESENT WHEN A WHALE IS STRUCK, AGAINST ORDERS GOES
OFF IN ONE OF THE BOATS.--ATTACK A WHALE AND HER CALF, BUT LOSE BOTH,
AND THE BOAT'S BOWS ARE STOVE AGAINST A FLOE.--THE CREW ESCAPE BY
LANDING ON IT, AND DRAGGING THE BOAT AFTER THEM. PREPARATIONS MADE TO
WAIT FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE SHIP IN SEARCH OF THEM.

The ship had for some time been off the western shore of the bay, and
several whales had been taken--every one was actively engaged, for when
the operation of flensing was not going on, the boats were generally
away in chase of their prey.

Archy had hitherto always remained on board. He had long wished,
however, to be present at one of the exciting scenes he ha