"We had a long and rough passage, for we met storm after storm, and the old brig was far from being staunch and seaworthy. Added to this, our captain proved to be a tyrant, and not only half starved us, but manifested his cruelty on the slightest occasion. Dick and I wouldn't have fared much worse if we had stayed at home and gone to prison. When we reached Rio Janeiro we were glad to leave the vessel and go ashore among entire strangers. A few days later Dick came down with the ship fever, and before the week was out I was down with the same disease. We had been stopping at a sailor's inn, but on our recovery from the delirium into which we both had fallen, we found ourselves in the house of an English missionary. He had found us just as our inhuman host was about to turn us out of his inn to die, and having us removed to his own residence, he tenderly cared for us. It was there the first religious impressions were made upon us—more, however, upon Dick than upon myself. He recovered before I did, and while waiting for my convalescence he had several long religious talks with the missionary's wife, and was under deep conviction when we shipped on board an English vessel for Liverpool.
"Our captain was a friend of the missionary, and was an earnest Christian also, and he had learned enough about us to be deeply interested in our cases. He gave us each a Bible when we come on board, and secured from each of us a promise to read it. Dick was more faithful to this promise than I, and when our watch brought us forward alone, he would talk of what he had read. One night we had a fearful storm. The wind blew a hurricane, and I never saw such waves as were hurled against us. At times it seemed as if they must overwhelm the ship, she was so deeply laden and labored so heavily. Then for the first time I saw the experiment tried of casting oil upon the troubled waters. The captain had two kegs arranged just at the bow of the vessel, and from each a small stream of oil was constantly pouring upon the tossing waves. The effect was almost magical, for the huge waves were smoothed by the spreading oil, and the ship had a comparatively smooth sea in which to sail.
"Dick and I were sent forward to watch the kegs, and to keep them supplied with oil. All at once Dick gave a cry of joy. 'I have it! I have it, Tom!' he cried. 'Why have I not seen it before? This illustrates our need of a Saviour. The billows of sin compass us about, and are destined eventually to destroy our souls. Then God pours in his saving grace, the billows yield before its magic power, and there comes peace, and we push on into the haven of rest. It is Jesus through whom that grace is obtainable. He alone is the fountain of supply. Faith is the means by which it flows down to us. Praise the Lord, I believe, and that grace is mine.'
"There was no mistaking even in that storm and darkness that the great blessing of salvation had come to him. The next day he told the captain, and then he began praying for me. We reached Liverpool after a stormy passage. The captain had, for some reason, taken a great liking to Dick, and now took him to his own church, and before we sailed again Dick was baptized. Our next voyage was on the same ship, and with the same captain. Dick wouldn't leave him, and I stayed by Dick. This time we had taken cargo for Hong Kong, and had a long voyage before us. We had been out but a few days when the captain gave Dick some books, and told him if he would only study he would teach him navigation, and fit him to take command of a ship. The lad didn't need any urging, and the way he pored over those books set me to thinking that I might learn navigation too. The captain consented, and, with our other duties, we soon had enough on our hands to keep us busy most of the time. I had long before this left off all drinking and swearing; in fact, the captain wouldn't allow them on board the ship. I began now to read my Bible daily, but no light or peace came.
"We had rounded the Cape, and had made a big run on toward our destination, when a sudden squall struck us. All sail was out at the time, and the crew was ordered aloft to take it in. One fellow named Jones, a green hand, was at work on the mizzen-top-sail, when a strong gust of wind struck him. He let right go of the sail, and clung to the yards for dear life. The loosened sail was caught by the wind, and the spar was wrenched from its place, and down it came with a great crash to the deck. Dick and I were at the wheel, and saw it coming; but he saw what I did not—that the captain was right under where it, with the next roll of the ship, would strike. With a cry, he let go the wheel, and sprang forward to save the captain. He succeeded in this, but before he could get out of the way himself it struck him upon the back and crushed him to the deck. We picked him up, and at the captain's order carried him into the cabin, but it was soon apparent that he could not live. His back was broken and he was injured internally. Though he suffered greatly, he made no complaint, and was as happy as could be at the thought of meeting his Saviour. About dark it was evident that he was fast sinking.
"'Tom,' he suddenly said, though feebly, 'in my chest you will find a little over a hundred dollars I have saved. Promise me that you will add to it until you have enough to pay Mr. Shephard, at Afton, for what we took from him, and that you will then go back and give it to him. Tell him it was what I was striving to do when this blow came, and that I died trusting in Jesus. And, Tom, try to come to the Saviour: promise me that you will do that also.' I couldn't help crying, great strong man as I was, but I gave him the promises he asked. A few minutes later he suddenly raised his hands. 'I see the King in his beauty,' he cried; 'crown him! crown him!' And then he died.
"We buried him in the sea the next morning, just as the sun rose above the horizon, and sad and lonely I went about my work. His death made a deep impression upon me. For days I was harassed with thoughts of my own sinfulness. I struggled for light. I tried to pray. But the darkness that surrounded me only seemed to grow more dense. I found no peace. No help came. But one night as I was off watch, and lay in my bunk, there came to me the words I had often heard Dick repeat. So plainly did I hear them, and so like Dick's voice did the message sound, I could have almost believed it was he speaking: 'The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin;' and with those words there came light. I now saw that the only way I could be saved was by accepting that Son as my substitute. I just cried aloud for help, 'Lord, I need thee; wilt thou not save?' And with that cry peace came. I knew I was heard. I was saved.
"But I am making a long story. The captain felt drawn to me for Dick's act, and when we reached Hong Kong he put me in as second mate. We went from there to Australia, and then back to England. Over three years had now elapsed, and I had added enough to Dick's money to pay Mr. Shephard in full for his loss. I felt, too, I must come and acknowledge my sin, and, if Mr. Shephard so desired, to meet its penalty. I therefore resolved to come home at once. The captain easily got a place for me as first mate on a ship sailing for New York, and there I landed a few days ago. To-morrow I shall call upon Mr. Shephard and pay him principal and interest for the injury he received from us. If he then desires to continue the case against me, I will suffer the penalty for my crime. I feel it is the only right thing to do—to go back to the hour of my sin and make all possible reparation, whatever the consequences to myself."
"I hardly think he will push the case," said Mr. Woodhull. "He must be convinced of your change of heart by your very desire to settle with him."
"I have letters from the English captain and from the captain of my present ship testifying to my good character, and I trust Mr. Shephard may be willing to give me a trial before he prosecutes the case. I am willing he should hold it over me, and call it up whenever he has any reason to suspect I am playing the hypocrite," said Tom.