The History of Little Peter, the Ship Boy

by William Henry Giles Kingston

Peter agreed that his father was right in the resolution he had come to.

The first-mate, and several of the crew who had visited old Mr Gray in his hut, begged that they might be allowed to put up a more comfortable dwelling for him. Peter thankfully accepted their offer, and several of the natives, finding what they proposed doing, gave their assistance. In a short time a neat cottage was erected in the shelter of a cocoanut grove, with a verandah in front and a garden fenced in on one side. Peter had also the satisfaction of taking on shore some clothing and a number of articles which he thought might be of use to his father, as well as a store of provisions such as were likely to keep in that climate.

“Peter, you are over-generous to me,” said the old man, when the gifts arrived, “I never did anything for you.”

“You must consider them as God’s gifts; if He had not bestowed them on me I could not have offered them to you,” answered Peter.

“I see, I see,” said the old man; “He orders all for the best, praise His name.”

Peter paid several visits to Mr Wilson, who, with his wife, had now been nearly a year on the island. He disclaimed any part in the conversion of the old sailor, that having been brought about by the instrumentality of the two native catechists who had preceded him. By that time a large number of the inhabitants of that part of the island had burned their idols, and become nominal Christians, while a very considerable portion were communicants, and evidently endeavouring to walk in the footsteps of the Master they professed to serve.

“There is still, however, a wide field for our labours,” observed Mr Wilson, “for which I trust your father will be spared many years with me.”

Stormy weather, and the necessity of refitting and making certain repairs which the Edgar required, and for which the sheltered harbour afforded peculiar facilities, kept her there for upwards of a fortnight; when parting from his father, Peter proceeded on his voyage to England.

The Edgar arrived in safety in England. Peter had made a successful voyage, and found himself the possessor of more money than he had ever expected to receive.

As soon as the ship was safe in dock, and he had performed all the duties required of him, he left her in charge of the first-mate and proceeded to pay the promised visit to his late captain’s widow and daughter. He found them living in a neat little cottage near London. Mrs Sandford had heard of her husband’s death, and cordially welcomed Captain Gray. She was anxious to receive an account of the last days of his life, which he alone could afford.