longitude just now, at all events I can find out the latitude we are
in, and then by looking at the chart shall be able to give some kind of
guess whereabout we are, if we see land soon.

"It is nearly noon now," observed Ready, reading off his quadrant, "the
sun rises very slowly. What a happy thing a child is! Look, sir, at
those little creatures playing about, and as merry now, and as unaware
of danger, as if they were at home in their parlour. I often think,
sir, it is a great blessing for a child to be called away early; and
that it is selfish in parents to repine."

"Perhaps it is," replied Mr. Seagrave, looking mournfully at his
children.

"It's twelve o'clock, sir. I'll just go down and work the latitude, and
then I'll bring up the chart."

Mr. Seagrave remained on deck. He was soon in deep and solemn thought;
nor was it to be wondered at - the ship a wreck and deserted - left
alone on the wide water with his wife and helpless family, with but one
to assist him: had that one deserted as well as the rest, what would
have been his position then? Utter helplessness! And now what had they
to expect? Their greatest hopes were to gain some island, and, if they
succeeded, perhaps a desert island, perhaps an island inhabited by
savages - to be murdered, or to perish miserably of hunger and thirst.
It was not until some time after these reflections had passed through
his mind, that Mr. Seagrave could recall himself to a sense of
thankfulness to the Almighty for having hitherto preserved them, or
could say with humility, "O Lord! thy will, not mine, be done." But,
having once succeeded in repressing his murmurs, he then felt that he