MANY years ago, in one of the small towns on the coast of North America, there lived a widow with an only son. He was a boy of a cheerful, manly spirit, and a general favourite in the village. His name was Francis Horner. When Frank was fourteen years old, he made up his mind to go to sea. It was hard for his mother to part with him; but he had his way to make in the world, and, as she thought it would be for his good, she at last allowed him to follow his inclination. So Frank bade his mother and companions "good-bye," with a sad though stout heart, and was soon far away on the bright blue sea. His mother, before bidding him farewell, told him he must try to do his duty like a man. "And, Frank," she added, "always obey orders, and never be persuaded to do what is wrong." Frank resolved to follow his mother's counsel, and was always very careful to attend to his duty promptly. Sometimes the wind blew very hard, and then the crew were obliged to ascend the masts and furl some of the sails. In the darkness of night, with the vessel pitching in a heavy sea, and the wind blowing the sails and ropes about with terrific force, this was no easy or pleasant task. Yet here, as elsewhere, Frank was always foremost at the post of duty. One day in the Indian Ocean, a great storm burst upon them with fearful violence. The wind howled dismally through the rigging. The air was filled with spray, and sky and ocean seemed mingled together. It soon grew quite dark, so that they could perceive nothing but the seething foam of the waves, which surrounded and seemed eager to ingulf them. Most of the sails had been furled before the storm came on, but a few were still spread. These were quickly torn to shreds, and one of the masts gave way and fell over the side of the ship. Here, entangled in the rigging, it hung in such a manner that it could not be cut away without great danger to him who should attempt it. Yet every one saw that, if it was not detached, it would make a hole in the side of the vessel, which would soon cause her to sink. All shrunk from the perilous task. Frank, however, remembering his mother's counsel and his own resolution, seized a hatchet, went out carefully on the mast over the side of the vessel, and succeeded in cutting the ropes that held the broken part. A shout of joy greeted him as he sprang safely back upon the deck. |
