rcumstances, considering that he had lost an
eye, and was not a very bright scholar, more difficult of accomplishment
than may be supposed. He had lost an arm, too, which made it difficult
for him to hold a book; besides, his book was large, and the printing
was not over clear, a fault common in those days; and the paper was a
good deal stained and injured from the effects of damp and hot climates.
He was aroused from his studies by a signal at the door, and the
entrance of one of the quartermasters.

"What is it, Pringle?" asked the Captain, looking up.

"Why, sir, Molly Freeborn is taken very bad, and the doctor says that he
thought you would like to know," was the answer. "He doesn't think as
how she'll get over it. Maybe, sir, you'd wish to see the poor woman?"

"Certainly, yes; I'll go below and see her," answered the Captain in a
kind tone. "Poor Molly! But where is her husband--where is Freeborn?
It will be a great blow to him."

"It is his watch on deck, sir. No one liked to go and tell him. He
could do no good, and the best chance, the doctor said, was to keep
Molly quiet. But I suppose that they'll let him know now," answered the
quartermaster.

"Yes; do you go and find him, and take him below to his wife, and just
break her state gently to him, Pringle," said the Captain.

Captain Penrose stopped a moment to slip on his greatcoat, and to jam a
sou'wester tightly down over his head, before he left the cabin on his
errand of kindness, when a terrific clap was heard, louder than one of
thunder, and the ship seemed to quiver in every timber fore and aft.
The Captain sprang on deck, for the moment, in his anxiety for the
safety of his ship, forgetting his intention with regard to Molly
Freeborn.

Poor Molly! There she lay in the sick-bay, which had been appropriated
to her use, gasping out her life amid the tumult and disturbance of that
terrific storm. She was one of three women allowed, in those days,
under certain circumstances, to be on board ship for the purpose of
acting as nurses to the sick, and of washing for the officers and men.
Her husband was captain of the maintop, and as gallant and fine a seaman
as ever stepped. Everybody liked and respected him.

But Molly was even a greater favourite. There was not a kinder-hearted,
more gentle, sensible, and judicious person in existence. No one had a
greater variety of receipts for all sorts of ailments, and no one could
more artistically