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 him whom she might
never see more. The white sail is smaller and smaller, until it appears
but a speck, and is finally lost in the distance. And then what a sense
of desolation! Oh, might we all seek for strength in time of trouble, of
Him who will not turn a deaf ear to the cries of his children! Who hath
said, "As thy day, so shall thy strength be." Would that all might seek
for comfort in the hour of trial, as did that stricken one,--in prayer!
The Sea-flower had, with Harry, accompanied her father in the ship, as
she was towed out by the steamer over the bar. As they were about to
cast off, when the steamer should return, the father sought to bid his
children farewell. Turning to his boy, he bade him be all that a son and
brother should be. With one long embrace his eye rested upon the