"I loaded the master and crew with presents, but this only served to increase their 12 rapacity. Although I was aware that they knew of the wealth I had on board, I entertained no fears concerning either my life or property; but last night their 13diabolical plans for the destruction of both were put into execution.

"I was alone on the quarter-deck, when a deep groan causing me to turn, I beheld one of the passengers struck down with an 1axe, as he was approaching to join me. The "ruffians, with horrid yells, rushed forward to secure a second victim ; but, though nearly overpowered by my 19sensations, I was enabled to reach the "taffrail, and dropped into the sea.

“The darkness of the night, the "presumption that I could not reach land, and above all, the work of death, which was still unfinished, prevented pursuit. I made an effort to float, trusting to Providence for my guide.

"But what was life? The dear woman for whom I wished to live, was deserted at the moment she most needed my assistance. The shrieks of the dying broke upon my ear, and I fancied I could distinguish the voice of my wife, imploring mercy.

"The thought was agonizing. Three times I attempted to regain the ship, but in vain—she was fast receding. From that moment, until I 23revived in your dwelling, reason left me."

The humane fisherman did all he could to comfort the hapless sufferer.

"I have no doubt," he said, "that these men will soon land in the vicinity, to divide their plunder; and let us indulge the hope that these outcasts of society will yet be brought to justice, and you restored to your affectionate wife."

Animated with this idea, the fisherman rose, and approached the window, and, as he had supposed, the vessel was distinctly seen standing in for the shore.

Raising the

Not a moment was to be lost. stranger in his arms, he carried him to his 25skiff, and rowing round a steep 26 bluff of rocks, which 27screened them from 28observation, he placed him in a 29 9cave, retired and secure. He then hastened

to some huts, a few miles distant, informed the inhabitants of the dreadful 3otransactions of the past night, and conjured them, if they were not destitute of courage and humanity, to aid him in boarding the vessel, which was now at anchor.

A small but determined band was immediately collected; and, under the direction of the fisherman, they advanced with caution toward his humble dwelling. Providence smiled on their endeavours. They crept to the brow of a crag, beneath which the 32 pirates were seated, dividing the money of the stranger,—and watching for a good opportunity, they sprang upon them. The confusion of guilt, and the effects of intoxication, rendered them an easy conquest.

They were carefully secured to await the punishment due to their crimes. The fisherman and his

comrades then rowed off for the vessel, and tears of joy 3bedewed his weather-beaten face on finding that the wife of his guest had escaped uninjured.

For some moments the tears of the wretched woman unmanned our generous fisherman; and when he at length 35collected himself, he was fearful of informing her too suddenly that her husband was alive, and in perfect safety. At first he tried to soothe her agitated feelings by telling her that the murderers had no longer the power of doing her any injury; and that, though separated from the one she loved, she should never want a protector while he had an arm to raise in her defence.

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As she became more calm, he gradually unfolded the happiness that was in store for her. But with all his caution, nature fainted under the excess of joyful emotion; and he trembled lest all his labours should have been bestowed in vain.

The joy of the young couple at their meeting cannot be adequately described. Suffice it to say, that after having knelt in prayer to that Being who had restored them to each other, their first care was the welfare of the fisherman. A sum sufficient to render him independent was immediately bestowed, and the only return which they requested was that they might retain the faithful dog, who had rendered such valuable service.

But the fisherman said that the dog had been his only companion during the long and dreary winters he had passed among those rocks; that there was no other living creature whom he could

call his friend; and, rather than part with him, he would return their bounty; preferring his hut, his poverty, and his dog, to wealth and solitude.

Enough,” replied the stranger; "you shall not part with him, and I am sorry that I made a request which could give one moment's pain to so good a heart. Take this," added he, presenting a large addition to his former donation; "and if it be more than sufficient for your wants, I know it will be employed—as all wealth ought to be-in 37alleviating the distress of our fellow-beings."

Explain perfidy, anxiety, ruffian, taffrail, receding, conjured, bedewed, alleviating. How was the sagacity of the dog displayed? Give the incidents in this story that show that the fisherman was (a) tender-hearted, (b) cautious, (c) thoughtful, (d) earnest, (e) noble-minded. Give the incidents that show the robbers were (a) ungrateful, (b) treacherous, (c) avaricious, (d) cruel. What plans did the fishermen adopt to catch the robbers? With what success? Tell the story in your own words.

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1 Casco Bay, in North America. 2 Indians, aborigines of North America, who hated the settlers from Europe. 3 abandoned, deserted; forsaken; given up entirely. projecting, jutting out; leaning forward. ascertaining, finding out. anxiety, uneasiness; distress; very great concern. corpse, dead person. evident, clear to sight; easy to understand. perfidy, treachery; act of being false to trust or confidence reposed. 10 acquired, gained by exertion; earned. "converted, changed. 12 rapacity, greediness of gain; ravenousness; rapaciousness. 13 diabolical, pertaining to the devil. 14 execution, performance; act of doing or accomplishing. 13 quarter-deck (see page 64, note 9). axe, an instrument usually of iron, with a steel edge or blade, for hewing timber, chopping wood, etc. Iruffian, a boisterous brutal fellow, ready for any desperate crime. 18 yell, a sharp, loud, hideous outcry. 19 sensations, excited feelings. 20 taffrail (nautical), the upper part of a ship's stern, which is flat like a table on the top; the rail round a ship's stern is also called the taffrail. pre

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sumption, taking for granted; strong probability or likelihood. 22 receding, going back; moving away. 23 revived, brought again to life; recovered. 24 indulge, yield to a desire. 25 skiff, a small light boat. 26 bluff, projection. 27 screened, concealed ; hid. 29 28 observation, view. cave, hollow place in the earth. 30 transactions, doings. 31 conjured, called in a solemn manner or by a sacred name. 32 pirates, sea-robbers. 33 bedewed, moistened or covered as with dew. 31 unmanned, deprived of courage and fortitude. 35 collected himself, regained his composure, or recovered from surprise. 36 agitated, excited; greatly disturbed. 37 alleviating, making easy to be borne; lessening; mitigating.

THIS is a picture of a manatee; and he is not half so stupid as he looks. In fact, he has some interesting 'traits of character; and judging him by the old proverb, "Handsome is that handsome does," we may yet prove that he is a beauty.

"A droll fish," did you say? Now, there I have caught you. He is not a fish any more than you are, though he is shaped like one. He belongs to the same family of animals as you do-the Mammalia, called by that long name because Mamma Manatee finds her babies milk, instead of meat. And, besides, he is warm-blooded, while fishes are cold-blooded; and he breathes with lungs, while fishes perform that useful operation with gills.