Six weeks had elapsed since the barque _Sabrina_ had left the port of
Liverpool. She was stealing along swiftly before a seven knot breeze on
the quarter, with studding-sails set. It was intensely hot, for they
had crossed the line only a few days since. Captain Merryweather had
proved himself all that a captain should be--a thorough sailor, equal to
any emergency; a firm but considerate commander; an interesting and
lively companion, ever evenly cheerful, and watchful to make all around
him comfortable and happy. Hubert Oliphant was full of spirits--happy
himself, and anxious to make others the same; a keen observer of every
natural phenomenon, and admirer of the varied beauties of ocean and sky;
and, better still, with a heart ready to feel the bounty and love of God
in everything bright, lovely, and grand. Poor Frank had become less
sad; but his sorrow still lay heavy on his spirits. Yet there was hope
for him to cling to; and he was rejoicing in the subduing of his evil
habit, which was thus far broken through by his forced abstinence.
Alas! he did not realise that a smouldering fire and an extinct one are
very different things. He was sanguine and self-confident; he fancied
that his resolution had gained in firmness, whereas it had only rested
quiet, no test or strain having been applied to it; and, worst of all,
he did not feel the need of seeking in prayer that grace from above
which would have given strength to his weakness and nerve to his good
resolves. And yet who could see him and not love him? There was a
bright, reckless generosity in every look, word, and movement, which
took the affections by storm, and chained the judgment. Jacob Poole had
become his devoted admirer. Day by day, as he passed near him, and saw
his sunny smile and heard his animated words, the young cabin-boy seemed
more and more drawn to him by a sort of fascination. Jacob was very
happy. The captain was a most kind and indulgent master, and he felt it
a privilege to do his very best to please him. But his greatest
happiness was to listen--when he could do so without neglecting his
duty--to the conversations between Frank, Hubert, and the captain, as
they sat at meals round the cuddy-table, or occasionally when in fair
weather they stood together on the poop-deck; and it was Frank's voice
and words that had a special charm for him. Frank saw it partly, and
often took occasion to have some talk with Jacob in his own cheery way;
and so bound the boy still closer to him.
It was six weeks, as we have said, since the _Sabrina_ left Liverpool.
The day was drawing to a close; in a little while the daylight would
melt suddenly into night. Not a cloud was in the sky: a fiery glow,
mingled with crimson, lit up the sea and heavens for a while, and,
speedily fading away, dissolved, through a faint airy glimmer of palest
yellow, into clear moonlight. How lovely was the calm!--a calm that
rested not only on the sea, but also on the spirits of the voyagers, as
the vessel slipped through the waters, gently bending over every now and
then as the wind slightly freshened, and almost dipping her studding-
sail boom into the sea, which glittered in one long pathway of quivering
moonbeams, while every little wave, as far as the eye could reach, threw
up a crest of silver. The captain stood near the binnacle. He was
giving a lesson in steering to Jacob Poole, who felt very proud at
taking his place at the wheel for the first time, and grasped the spokes
with a firm hand, keeping his eye steadily on the compass. Frank and
Hubert stood near, enjoying the lovely evening, and watching Captain
Merryweather and the boy.
"Steady, my lad, steady," said the captain; "keep her head just south
and by east. A firm hand, a steady eye, and a sound heart; there's no
good without them."
"You'll soon make a good sailor of him, captain," said Hubert.
"Ay, I hope so," was the reply. "He's got the best guarantee for the
firm hand and the steady eye in his total abstinence; and I hope he has
the sound heart too."
"You look, captain, as if total abstinence had thriven with you. Have
you always been a total abstainer?" asked Frank.