were all, except Tite, young men of wealthy parents, who had joined the
ship to enjoy the excitements of a whaling voyage. These young men, with
Tite, had formed a school of instruction, and every evening got together
in the same place to improve their knowledge in practical navigation.
One of them, a young man who had endeared himself to all on board by his
courage and the gentleness of his manners, was third mate, and took a
leading part in instructing the others. It would, indeed, have been
difficult to find two young men whose characters bore a stronger
resemblance than his and Tite's. Between them there grew up the
strongest friendship.

The ship was now laboring in the trough of the sea, when a loud crash
was heard aloft. The fore, main, and mizzen top-gallant masts had gone
in rapid succession, and the swaying mass of wreck was threatening the
destruction of the ship. Death now stared every one in the face. There
was no hope of saving the ship and the lives of those on board, except
in the strength and courage of those willing to go aloft and clear away
the wreck. But who was there to do this perilous work?

Amidst the confusion caused by the excited elements there was the sturdy
little captain, calm and cool, and giving his orders with that clearness
and decision which had always characterized him. Men were called for to
go aloft and cut away the swaying wreck, and save the ship. The first to
obey this summons was young Tite Toodleburg, whose example was followed
by the young man I have described as third mate, and one of his
companions. They mounted the fore, main, and mizzen rigging, and working
with all their strength and skill soon had the swaying wreck cut away,
and the ship relieved of her strain. But in descending, the third mate,
who had so gallantly performed his duty, lost his hold, and the ship
giving a terrible lurch, he was plunged into the sea, and seen no more.