Den mine poy, he shaves t' ship." Hanz went over the letter in this incoherent manner, and then handed it to the Dominie to read for the entertainment of the company.

The letter was dated at Bahia, where the ship had put in for fresh supplies, as was the custom with whalers.

He gave a glowing account of the voyage, and the storm, and the persons he found on board.
The good Dominie was several times interrupted by some one of the company invoking a blessing on Tite's head.

And when it was announced that he had been made third mate of the ship, an expression of joy broke on every lip.

The school-master shook Hanz warmly by the hand, and the inn-keeper declared it would not surprise him if Tite came home captain of the ship.
"High, high!" exclaimed the Dominie, re-adjusting his spectacles; "here's news.