Willy was almost in tears. Father Somazzo's comforting words came to
his mind, then kneeling down for a short morning prayer, he commended
himself to the care of his guardian angel. Strengthened by the thought
that God's holy guardian angels are companions and protectors at sea as
well as on land, he was rising from his knees just as his uncle came
into the room.

"What, up and dressed! By the seven sleepers of old, I verily believe
that you have been praying! That's what they set you to doing at the
pension, but you'll soon get over it; a seaman has no time for any such
superfluous business as that."

"Superfluous to say one's prayers?" questioned Willy in utmost
surprise, opening wide his big blue eyes. "The good Fathers prayed
every day, and used to say that 'he who knows not how to pray, the sea
will teach to pray'. What will become of us, if God and his angels do
not watch over and guard us?"

"Oh, dear me! You talk just like the preaching Brothers," laughed the
Captain, in a way that made the boy shudder.

"Well, for aught that I care keep on praying to your guardian angel to
watch over you, but now go into the kitchen and get a cup of coffee and
a biscuit or two. Hurry yourself. In five minutes be ready for work
and report on deck to the first officer."

In the meantime the boatswain had started for the steerage, where three
hundred Chinamen were packed like herrings on the floor and in the
berths along the sides of the room. When he opened the trap-door to go