fter eight. How astonishing must be the accuracy of the
instruments and the calculations which can enable a man to guide a ship
across so utterly trackless a waste, aiming at a lighthouse three
thousand miles away, and not only come out exactly upon it, but come
there, too, so exactly at the time predicted by the calculation!

When the children went on deck the next morning, the southern coast of
Ireland was all in full view. Those who feel an interest in seeing the
track of the ship, will find, by turning to a map of Great Britain and
Ireland, that her course in going in from the Atlantic toward Liverpool
lay at first along the southern coast of Ireland, and then along the
western coast of Wales. This route, though it seems but a short distance
on the map, requires really a voyage of several hundred miles, and more
than a day in time, for the performance of it. The voyage of the ship
is, therefore, by no means ended when she reaches the land at Cape
Clear. There is still a day and a night more for the passengers to
spend on board the vessel. The time is, however, very much beguiled
during this last day's sail by the sight of the land and the various
objects which it presents to view--the green slopes, the castle-covered
hills, the cliffs, the lines of beach, with surf and breakers rolling in
upon them; and sometimes, when the ship approaches nearer to the shore
than usual, the pretty little cottages, covered with thatch, and adorned
with gardens and shrubbery.

The children stood by the railing of the deck for some time after they
came up from below, gazing at the shores, and admiring the various
pictures of rural beauty which the scene presented to the eye. At
length, becoming a little tired, they went and sat down upon one of the
settees, where they could have a more comfortable position, and still
enjoy a good view. Not long afterward, the captain, who had been walking
up and down the deck for some time, came and sat down by them.

"Well, children," said he, "are you glad to get to the end of the
voyage?"

"Yes, sir," replied Jennie. "I am glad to get safe off of the great
sea."

"And I suppose that you must be very glad, sir," added Rollo, "to get to
the end of your responsibility."

"Ah, but I have not got to the end of my responsibility yet, by any
means," said the captain.

As he said this, he rose from his seat, and looked out very attentively
forward for a minute or two. At length he seemed satisfied,