aced,
and his providential preservation, did his utmost to laugh Archy out of
his good resolutions.

"I wonder a lad of spirit like you can listen to the long sermons of old
Andrew," he said to him one day while Andrew was out of hearing. "I
never could stand those preaching fellows."

"But Andrew kept his courage up, and did his best to preserve my life,
while you and the rest gave way to despair," answered Archy. "You
cannot say that he is not a brave man, though he does preach long
sermons."

"Yes, he is brave, I'll allow," said Max.

"Then tell me, what do you think makes him brave?" asked Archy.

"He is naturally brave, I suppose," replied Max.

"Now, I think that it is because he trusts in God, and believes that God
will take care of him," said Archy firmly. "And he knows that if he
should lose his life that he will go to heaven. That's my opinion of
the matter."

"Your opinion, indeed," exclaimed Max scornfully. "I should like to
know what business a fellow like you has to form an opinion," and Max
turned away, unable further to answer the boy, whom he had hitherto so
easily led. He took every opportunity after this of annoying Archy, and
incited his godless companions to do the same.

Archy often wished that he was on board the "Kate" again, and anxiously
looked out in the hopes of falling in with her. The captain had been
much put out by the loss of the whale and two lines when they had been
rescued, and seemed to associate them in some way with the circumstance.
A few days afterwards the watch below were aroused with the welcome cry
of "a fall! a fall!" a whale was fast. The remaining boats pulled away,
and in a few hours the captain's good humour was restored by having the
whale alongside. All hands were now in high spirits. "One fish more,
and hurrah for old England," was the cry.

Several days passed away without any further success. In vain Andrew
and Archy looked out for the "Kate." The season was advancing, still
the captain of the "Laplander," anxious to get a full ship, cruised
backwards and forwards in the hopes of killing one fish more. At length
that object was attained, but one of the boats was knocked to pieces,
and two of her crew drowned. The huge monster was secured alongside
with all haste, the blubber was got on board, and the instant the
carcase was cut adrift, the crew giving three shouts of joy at being
full, sail was made, and the ship stood to the southward.

T