their means were sufficient
to supply all their wants; and since God in his providence had consigned
this little one to their care, she had congratulated herself that there
was one more tie to bind her husband to his home; and, indeed, the child
was as dear to him as if she had been his own flesh and blood; and as
those last seven years upon shore stood up before him, now that he was
about to leave all that was dear to him, as having been spent more in
keeping with God's laws than in any previous part of his life, he felt
that he was a better man. Naturally of a noble, generous disposition, he
had gained the respect of all who knew him. Pleasant and gentlemanly in
his manners, he was no less firm in his duties on shipboard, and his
stern word of command was received by his men with the same hearty
"aye, aye," as when he cracked a joke with them over the club-room fire.
Harry had kept his promise in regard to his wish to go with his father;
and when he looked into his mother's face, and saw how mournful was her
smile, he felt that it would indeed be cruel to think of leaving her.
But when he heard the sailors saying, as he clambered up the rigging,
that it was a pity such a sprightly little fellow could not go along
with them, his desire to ship for the voyage knew no bounds, and seeking
his father, in the cabin, he had a long interview with him, gaining the
promise that when he should return he would secure for him a good lay,
and that he might then commence the nautical career, which the captain
plainly saw his inclinations had marked out.

The day had arrived when the ship would sail. Every thing had been made
ready for a long voyage, should the captain not meet with his usual good
fortune, which was considered unnecessary by her owners, so sanguine
were they of her success; such implicit faith did they place in the
abilities of her captain, that in securing his services, they looked
upon the voyage as told. Ah! who can tell if that proud ship may ever
return? Was there not one who looked upon her thus? Within that happy
home, now so desolate, sat the wife of him who had just taken his leave
of her, and the bitterness of that hour who can tell? She only who has
tasted the same cup of sorrow; she who has given to the mercies of the
deep him whom she holds most dear on earth. Such an one can indeed
realize what were the feelings of that wife, as she sat at the window,
her eye fixed upon the ship which was bearing away h