376 



The Petrels 



something to do, catch one of the pretty creatures 

 by means of thickly-tarred roping twine attached 

 to a bait of pork, which was hooked on to the end 

 of a fishing-Hne. The httle bird, fluttering over the 

 meat and continually touching the water with its 

 feet, as is its wont, got them entangled in the sticky 

 twine, and was hauled in all bedraggled, its bright 

 vivacity gone, and presently lay panting and helpless 

 in the grip of its silly tormentor. Fortunately the 

 captain coming on deck at an opportune moment, 

 saw the shameful deed, and gave that second mate 

 such a wigging as I hope did him good. It was the 

 only time in my life that I ever rejoiced to see a sub- 

 ordinate on board ship receive a public reprimand. 



Even to the last day of my sea-service I was unable 

 to divest myself of the feeling, when watching the 

 movements of the wee Petrel in a gale, that they were 

 sent to the sailor as an object lesson of the all-per- 

 vading care of God. The mighty ship in a heavy storm 

 does look so insignificant in conflict with the ocean, 

 all man's skill and genius and courage count for such 

 a little against the immeasurable power of His sea, 

 and is so dependent upon the faithful co-operation 

 of all concerned, that it comes with a wonderful relief 

 to study the tiny wee seafarer alongside coquetting 

 with the wildest waves, and untroubled by the fiercest 

 storm. In nothing, I think, under heaven is the 

 wisdom, love, and care of God more manifest than 

 in the behaviour of a Mother Carey's Chicken in a 

 tempest. But let us associate ourselves more in- 

 timately with a pair, for only by so doing can we realise 

 what a wonderful thing their life is. 



That was a very lonely morning when I discovered 

 that my father and mother had both left me. Ever 

 since I first found myself in the cosy little rock tunnel 



