hould be thankful for something to eat.

"Not very pleasant fare. It's an ill wind that blows nobody good; so,
though I ran you down, you are better off than you would have been
starving on such food as that, I guess. Here, Peter, light the galley
fire, and get some food as quick as possible. Hot tea in the mean time;
and look after the men forward--they want food as much as their
officers."

The black steward, who had been asleep, came out rubbing his eyes, and
hurried to obey the orders he had received; while the captain ushered
his guests into the cabin, and soon produced three blankets.

"There, strip off your wet duds, and wrap yourselves in these," he said,
"while I make up your beds."

The three midshipmen, weary and hungry as they were, indulged in a
laugh, as they sat with the blankets over them, like three Indian squaws
looking at each other, while the kind captain completed the arrangements
he had promised.

The steward quickly returned with a pot of hot tea, and the captain
produced a box of American crackers, which soon took off the edge of
their appetites.

"There, lie down now, until Peter is able to bring you mere substantial
fare," said the captain.

They followed his advice, Billy carrying a handful of crackers with him,
munching which he soon fell fast asleep. They were roused up, it seemed
to them, a moment afterwards by the steward, who announced that supper
was on the table; when they again, not _unwillingly_, wrapped in their
blankets, sat down to discuss some basins of hot soup and slices of cold
beef, which, as Billy observed, "was a great improvement on the raw salt
junk, which had so long been their only substantial fare."

At length the captain, observing that all three were nodding over the
table, advised them to return to their beds; and scarcely had they put
their heads on their pillows, than they were fast asleep.

CHAPTER FOUR.

KINDLY TREATED ON BOARD THE AMERICAN WHALER--LOOKING OUT FOR WHALES--A
WHALE KILLED--CUTTING IN AND TRYING OUT--THE MASTER GOES OFF IN CHASE--
THE SECOND MATE LOST OVERBOARD--SANDWICH ISLANDER ENDEAVOURS TO SAVE
HIM--THE BOATS DISAPPEAR--NO APPEARANCE OF THE MASTER AND FIRST MATE--A
GALE--THE BOATSWAIN ASSUMES COMMAND AND PLAYS THE TYRANT--WILL NOT
SEARCH FOR THE CAPTAIN--HIDES THE NAUTICAL INSTRUMENTS--THE BOATSWAIN
DASHES TOM'S QUADRANT TO THE DECK--NIGHT--THE MIDSHIPMEN TURN IN--THE
SHIP STRIKES--BOATSWAIN AND CREW PUT OFF--LEAVE TOM AND HI