rkness, perfectly bewildered; but as the remembrance of his situation
slowly came to him, he called aloud, in agony of spirit, "Nep! poor
drowned Neptune!" tossing upon his hammock, his arm came in contact
with the creature's shaggy coat. Could it be Nep? rescued from the
inhuman treatment of the captain? but he did not move! was he alive?
Harry sprang from his bed, and making his way in the darkness he knew
not whither, finally found himself in the captain's state-room, which
was unoccupied, and seizing a candle, reached his hammock just as Mr.
Sampson returned.

"Man alive! where did you get that light?" asked Sampson, apparently
much terrified.

"O, sir, I took the first one I could find, for I must see if my poor
Neptune is dead!" and he bent over him, smoothing his head, calling
loudly, "Neptune! poor Neptune!" Sampson, recognizing the silver
candlestick as belonging in the captain's state-room, hastened to return
it, knowing well what the consequences would be, if that dignitary
discovered that any one had dared to enter his room without orders; and
giving Harry a few friendly hints, as to what his liberties would be,
under their commander, he drew out a mysterious looking bottle from his
jacket-sleeve, and diluting a small quantity of its contents, gave it to
Harry to drink, which in his weak condition did not come amiss. Turning
to the dog, the kind old tar commenced rubbing him vigorously, bathing
his cold limbs with the spirit, glancing occasionally at the gangway, to
see who might darken the descent. The dog at last gave signs of life,
and to Harry's great joy, he looked up and recognized his master,
Sampson assuring him, in his rough way, that the old fellow would soon
be as good as new.

It was the last watch in the morning, and Harry, hearing loud voices on
deck, ventured out. It was a clear, cold morning, the moon had gone
down, and Venus was just rising in the east; on every side was the blue
rolling water. They had left Nantucket miles behind. Sampson, who was on
duty, seeing the boy looking out, as if he had come to the conclusion
that the island had been submerged, shook out a reef in the line which
he was making fast, that he might catch the boy's ear, and pointing to a
dim light far down in the distant horizon, he remarked, "Look well, it's
old Sankoty; I'm thinking you'll have seen different days when you make
her again."

"Halloo, there, aft!" called out the captain; "has that kitten got to
m