“’ BROWN, EMERSON, SMITH, BRAY, BUDDS, FENN, RUSHMERE,
   BOULT:—­BROCK, aided by this knife, was saved after being 7-1/2
   hours in the sea. October 6. 1835.’

“‘It was a curious thing,’ observed Brock when relating his story, ’that I had been without a knife for some time, and only purchased this two days before it became so useful to me; and having had to make some boat’s tholes, it was as sharp as a razor.  I ought to be a good-living chap,’ continued he, ’for three times I have been saved by swimming.  What I did on this night, I know I could not have done of myself, but God strengthened me.  I never asked for anything but it was given me.’

“This man had great faith, and he had also other good traits in his character.  A large subscription was made for the widows and children of Brock’s unfortunate companions; and a fund being established for their relief, the surplus was offered to him.  This was his answer:  ’I am much obliged to you, gentlemen, but, thank God!  I can still get my own living as well as ever, and I could not spend the money that was given to the fatherless and widow.’  In contemplating the feat of this extraordinary man, it must appear to every one, that his bodily prowess, gigantic as it is, appears as dust in the balance compared with the powers of his mind.  To think and to judge rightly under some of the most appalling circumstances that ever surrounded mortal man, to reject the delusive for the arduous, to resolve and to execute, form such a combination of the best and rarest attributes of our nature, that where are we to look for them in the same man?  Brock at the time of this disastrous affair was thirty-one years of age, a fine, stout, athletic man, and as upright in his life and conversation as he was in his very handsome person.”

George read all this so clearly and distinctly, that he really merited the praise bestowed upon him:  even Grandy, generally too partial, did not award him more than he deserved, for it was a great work for a boy of his age.

“My dear boy.” said Mr. Wilton, “I am quite delighted to find you have been so industrious, as it proves most satisfactorily that you are resolved to overcome all obstacles of weariness or difficulty in order to accomplish the great end—­the attainment of useful knowledge.  I am much, very much, pleased with you, my dear boy.”

The color mounted to the cheeks of the happy child, and in those few moments of heartfelt joy he was amply repaid for the previous evening’s toil.

“Where sail we next?” inquired Mrs. Wilton.

EMMA.  “The North Sea is the track, dear mamma.  I am sorry Mr. Barraud has not come, as he, having been to Scotland, might have helped us considerably.  However, Dora is prepared with some particulars, and we need not be idling because of the absence of one member.”

“No, indeed!” exclaimed Mr. Wilton, “for I have a few words to say on that subject; so sail on, Dora, and ‘I’ll give thee a wind.’”