fresh portion of his clothes; he was almost done, and he feared that for self-preservation he would be forced to relinquish his prize; he felt heavy in the water, and his limbs became almost leaden. Whenever the dog lost his hold he barked loudly, as though calling for assistance; but the Sybille was far away; she had come sharp up to the wind at the cry of "a man overboard," and had laid her foretopsail aback; but she was nearly half a mile away from the spot before she could come round and lower a boat.

Once more Ned's shirt gave way, and again he sank, and for an instant he loosed his hold of Jem Stevens; the dog barked loudly, and again he seized and supported his young master, who once more clutched the almost lifeless form of Jem Stevens, although himself in the last stage of distress. At that moment, when it became positively necessary to sacrifice Stevens to save his own life, he heard a voice at no great distance.

66 Hold on, Massa Ned! Lord hab mussy 'pon us! Hold on, my dear Massa Ned! Tim got de life-buoy! Tim coming quick catch Massa Ned!"

There was no mistaking the voice; it was hardly a hundred yards distant, and the hope of succor instilled fresh vigor into the sinking frame of the exhausted Ned. Nero had also heard the well-known voice of Nigger Tim, and for an instant relaxing his hold, he barked loudly in reply, and then again supported his master.

"Come quick, Tim, I'm very nearly done !" cried Ned. "All right, Massa Ned; tank God for Tim and de lifebuoy! I's a coming!"

In another minute, when Ned could no longer have supported his burden, the dark and welcome figure of Tim was seen within a few yards. He was swimming in the centre of the life-buoy with all his strength, and, gaining Ned, he slipped from his position, and assisted him to the secure

place that he had vacated; at the same time with their joint endeavors they supported Stevens above the surface. Tim held on stoutly, while the dog released from his labor, swam easily by the side of the party.

In the mean time a boat was hurrying to their assistance from the frigate. The barking of the dog was the first guide, but upon a nearer approach the extreme luminous appearance of the water caused by the friction of the struggling swimmers directed the rowers to the spot. Although comparatively safe when clinging to the life-buoy, much exertion was required to support the almost inanimate body of Stevens, and it was with a joyful sense of relief that Ned Grey hailed the arrival of the boat.

"Back water!" shouted a voice as the boat neared them; at the same time a sailor in the bow reached Ned with a boat-hook, grasping which, the floating party were gently towed to the side and taken on board.

Stevens showed no signs of life, and upon arrival at the frigate his body was hoisted on deck by a sling, and at once consigned to the care of the doctor, while Ned and Nigger Tim quickly changed their clothes, and refreshed by a glass of grog they soon forgot their recent danger and escape. Nero had given himself a good shake, after which he was rubbed dry by several admiring sailors with a new swab.

Ned Grey had only just reappeared on deck in a dry suit of clothes when he was summoned to the captain's cabin; the door was opened by the steward, and Ned found himself in the presence of Captain Cooke, who was engaged in the examination of a chart of the Indian seas. As Ned appeared he rolled up the chart quickly, and looking steadfastly for some moments at the lad without speaking, he at length asked his name.

"Edward Grey, sir,” replied Ned.

"You joined the ship against your inclination?" said the captain.

"I was sorry to leave my home without a chance to say good-by, sir; but I'm proud to serve the King under you, sir,” replied Ned.

"Well, Ned," continued the captain, "the King may be proud of such a lad as yourself. You have done a gallant act to-night, and I'm glad to have the command of one so young who has shown such courage and devotion. There are many men who shine in the heat of action, but few who will risk their lives as you have done to save another. Tell me," continued the captain, "is it true that the lad you have saved is an old school-fellow and a personal enemy?"

"He was a school-fellow, sir,” replied Ned, "and I am sorry that he is an enemy. I trust he may now forget the past, for I never gave him cause for dislike."

"Where do you live, and what is your occupation in England ?" asked the captain.

Ned in a few words explained, and gave a short outline of his career, including the history of the nigger Tim's escape.

"Well,” replied the captain, "I congratulate you. There are few lads of your age who have already saved two lives, and I trust that you will yet earn other laurels on board the Sybille. I need not tell you to do your duty, but I trust the opportunity may soon arrive when you will prove yourself as brave under fire as you have been under trials by water. Go, Ned, do your duty, and I wish I had many like you."

Ned's heart beat with an honest pride as he left his captain's presence. He felt at that moment as though he could dare the whole world to win his approbation, and he yearned for the moment when in the smoke of battle he should be able to gain a smile from his gallant commander. At

the same time that these feelings occupied his thoughts he longed to stretch out his hand to his old enemy, Jem Stevens, and to bury all enmity in the deep from which they had emerged.

He had no sooner gained the deck than he requested to be allowed to visit Stevens, who was slowly recovering under the doctor's care. He found him lying in the berth only half conscious, and apparently with a desire to sleep.

The doctor had other patients to visit, and as all immediate danger was past he gave Ned a bottle that contained a stimulant combined with a gentle narcotic, of which he ordered him to give a tablespoonful should he remain awake for more than half an hour. Ned sat by his berth, and watched the pale features of Jem Stevens by the dim light of a lamp.

The half hour passed, and as he was still awake Ned wished to give the draught that had been prescribed. He therefore gently took the hand of Stevens that rested on the bed-clothes, and pressing it affectionately, he whispered: Stevens, take this from me. I promised the doctor to attend to you. Are you feeling better?"

There was no return on the part of Stevens to this friendly greeting; but after gazing fixedly at Ned for a few minutes, he coldly withdrew his hand, and turning upon his side with his back to Ned, he muttered sullenly that he required no medicine, but would go to sleep if left alone.

Ned felt a pang as he quietly left the cabin and ascended to the fresh air of the deck. There was an unmistakable feeling in the withdrawal of the hand, and he knew that the stubborn nature of Jem Stevens was proof against all generosity.

From that day Ned Grey held a high position in the opinion of both officers and crew of the Sybille; his ready obedience and alacrity in the performance of his duty, to

gether with his more than ordinary strength and activity, insured him the good-will of his superiors, while his general good-nature and cheerful disposition, added to his wellproved courage, gained for him the admiration of the men. He had become an especial favorite with the captain, who had been much struck with his gentlemanly appearance and demeanor. Upon several occasions he had drawn from Ned certain descriptions of his former life that increased the interest he had taken, and he comforted Ned with the assurance that upon their arrival at the Indian station he would be able to write home to his parents, and thus relieve their anxiety. At the same time he advised him to stick to the profession, and that he would apply for his promotion to enable him to enter as midshipman on the next voyage.

There was only one individual among the entire crew of the Sybille who did not share the general feeling toward Ned Grey. This was Jem Stevens, who, although he had in some degree abated the insolence of his former demeanor, now sullenly passed him upon every occasion without condescending to notice his presence.

Generosity of character is one of a sailor's virtues, and the ingratitude of Jem Stevens, thus publicly exhibited, increased the dislike with which he was generally regarded. In the midshipmen's berth he was positively hated; by the superior officers he was despised; and the sailors had on more than one occasion declared that the dog Nero had shown more discretion than Ned in refusing to assist so worthless a fellow.

This was the state of feeling among the officers and crew of the Sybille when, after a prosperous voyage, during which she had captured several prizes, she arrived off the coast of Ceylon, which was the first land she had sighted since leaving the Cape Verde Islands.

The frigate had coasted the southern portion of Ceylon