Captain Sand

           Thefirstimpressionfeltbythepassengersofthe"Pilgrim"inpresenceofthisterriblecatastrophewasacombinationofpityandhorror.TheyonlythoughtofthisfrightfuldeathofCaptainHullandthefivesailors.Thisfearfulscenehadjusttakenplacealmostundertheireyes,whiletheycoulddonothingtosavethepoormen.Theyhadnotevenbeenabletoarriveintimetopickupthewhale-boat’screw,theirunfortunatecompanions,wounded,butstillliving,andtoopposethe"Pilgrim’s"hulltothejubarte’sformidableblows.CaptainHullandhismenhadforeverdisappeared.

           Whentheschoonerarrivedatthefatalplace,Mrs.Weldonfellonherknees,herhandsraisedtowardHeaven.

           "Letuspray!"saidthepiouswoman.

           ShewasjoinedbyherlittleJack,whothrewhimselfonhisknees,weeping,nearhismother.Thepoorchildunderstooditall.DickSand,Nan,Tom,andtheotherblacksremainedstanding,theirheadsbowed.AllrepeatedtheprayerthatMrs.WeldonaddressedtoGod,recommendingtoHisinfinitegoodnessthosewhohadjustappearedbeforeHim.

           ThenMrs.Weldon,turningtohercompanions,"Andnow,myfriends,"saidshe,"letusaskHeavenforstrengthandcourageforourselves."

           Yes!TheycouldnottooearnestlyimploretheaidofHimwhocandoallthings,fortheirsituationwasoneofthegravest!

           Thisshipwhichcarriedthemhadnolongeracaptaintocommandher,nolongeracrewtoworkher.ShewasinthemiddleofthatimmensePacificOcean,hundredsofmilesfromanyland,atthemercyofthewindsandwaves.