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and love ashore that gave him courage; it was his nat'ral mind. I've seen it in his face, when he was no more than a child ay, many a time! — and when I thought it nothing but his good looks, bless him!"

"And was he saved?" cried Florence. saved?"

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"Was he

"That brave lad," said the captain, "look at me, pretty! Don't look roundFlorence had hardly power to repeat, "Why

not?"

"Because there's nothing there, my deary," said the captain. "Don't be took aback, pretty creetur! Don't, for the sake of Wal'r, as was dear to all on us! That there lad," said the captain, "arter working with the best, and standing by the faint-hearted, and never making no complaint nor sign of fear, and keeping up a spirit in all hands that made 'em honor him as if he'd been a admiral, - that lad, along with the second mate and one seaman, was left, of all the beatin' hearts that went aboard that ship, the only living creeturs - lashed to a fragment of the wreck, and drifting on the stormy sea." "Were they saved?" cried Florence.

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'Days and nights they drifted on them endless waters," said the captain, "until at last — no! don't look that way, pretty!-a sail bore down upon 'em, and they was, by the Lord's mercy, took aboard: two living, and one dead."

"Which of them was dead?" cried Florence.
"Not the lad I speak on," said the captain.
"Thank God! Oh, thank God!"

"Amen!" returned the captain hurriedly. "Don't be took aback! A minute more, my lady lass! with

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