strongly bound with silver, and the metal case he had spoken of. "Here,
Jack," he said, "I make you my heir, and give you the key of my chest:
I'll tell the men to-morrow that I have done so, and let the captain and
mates know it also, that there may be no dispute about the matter." I
thanked old Tom, assuring him, at the same time, that I hoped not to
benefit by his kindness.

In about three weeks we reached the mouth of the Columbia river. A
strong gale from the westward had been blowing for several days, and as
we came off the river a tremendous surf was seen breaking across the bar
at its mouth. "I hope the captain won't attempt to take the vessel in,"
observed old Tom to me. "I have been in once while the sea was not so
heavy by half as it is now, and our ship was nearly castaway." Still we
stood on. Presently, however, the captain seemed to think better of it,
and indifferent as he was to the lives of others, he apparently did not
wish to lose his own, and the brig into the bargain. She was
accordingly hauled to the wind, and we again stood off. It was only,
however, to heave-to, when he ordered a boat to be lowered. He then
directed the first mate to take four hands to go in her and sound the
bar. The mate expostulated, and declared that the lives of all would be
sacrificed in the attempt. "You are a coward, and are afraid,"
exclaimed the captain, stamping with rage. "Take old Tom and `Happy
Jack,' and two others," he called out their names. "No man shall justly
say I am a coward," answered the mate; "I'll go, but I'll take none but
volunteers. My death and theirs will rest on your head, Captain Pyke."

"I'll not go if the boy is sent," exclaimed old Tom; "but I am ready to
go if another man takes his place."

"Let me go, Tom," I said; "if you and the mate go I am ready to
accompany you."

"No, Jack, I'll do no such thing," answered my friend. "You stay on
board. Unless others step forward the boat won't go at all. The bar is
not in a fit state for the vessel to cross, much less an open boat."
The captain, however, seemed determined to go into the river, and now
ordered another man to go instead of me. "I'll make you pay for this
another day," he cried out, looking at me. I saw the mate shaking hands
with several on board before he stepped into the boat. "Remember the
case, Jack," said old Tom as he passed me, giving me a gripe by the
hand. "You have got the key, lad."

The boat shove