Let no one suppose, that little Peter placed a presumptuous confidence in God’s protecting care of a young boy like himself. He had read that not a sparrow falls to the ground but He knows it; that the hairs of our heads are all numbered, and he well knew that he should be offending his kind Father if he doubted His words. What strength and fearlessness did this simple faith give him.
The proud ship glided on, her canvas swelling to the breeze; it seemed that she would quickly run past him. He could almost distinguish the people on her deck. He shouted, fancying that his feeble voice would be borne over the water towards her. Presently he saw the hitherto full canvas flap against the masts; her courses, and her topsails, and topgallant sails hung down uselessly; the breeze which had hitherto fanned his cheeks died away.
The ship was almost abreast of him, but rather to the southward, so that those on her deck saw the rays of the sun striking directly on the brig’s masts. Without thinking of this, however, he took off his hat and waved it again and again. The ship appeared to be drifting in towards the bank. How eagerly he watched her. Presently he saw a boat lowered from her quarter; several people jumped in, and with rapid strokes pulled towards him. The tide had again risen, and scarcely a ripple was observed on the bank. The boat crossed it, and an encouraging cheer reached his ears; he waved his hat in return, and descending the rigging stood ready to step into the boat as soon as she came.
“Glad to rescue you, my lad,” said the officer, who was steering. “How long have you been on the mast? What’s become of your shipmates?”
“Since last night,” answered Peter; “and I hope they have reached the shore in the boat.”
“I should think if they have deserted you, you would wish rather that they had gone to the bottom as they deserve,” said the officer.
“We should wish harm to no one, and do good to our enemies,” answered Peter.
“Very good,” said the officer, “though the other is most natural. But how were you left behind?”
“I was in the cabin getting up provisions for them, when, as the brig appeared to be going down, they, I suppose, shoved off in the boat and forgot me.”
“Scoundrels! I can only hope their boat was swamped,” exclaimed the officer. “But give way, lads; the ship is closer in to the bank than is altogether pleasant, and we shall have to tow her head off if the breeze does not spring up again.”