"Perhaps he will let you go, and then again perhaps he won't. You can't always tell the night beforehand how the wind's going to blow. You've walked right into a scrape, and all you can do is to make the best of it."
"I intend to do that; and I think the best thing I can do will be to leave when we reach Palermo."
"There goes one bell, and we must turn in, for we shall be tumbled out at midnight," added Jack.
My bunk was next above that of my new friend. I knelt, as I always did, before my bed, and prayed for strength and grace. I had been in the habit of uttering my prayer audibly, and in a low tone. I did so on the present occasion. The rest of the port watch had all turned in, and most of them appeared to be snoring.
"So you say your prayers, Phil," said Jack Sanderson, as I climbed into my berth.
Phil Prayed for Strength and Grace.
"Yes, sir; I always do that, and I do not feel like neglecting it here."