A MAN OVERBOARD. 183

 "Oh, sir, maybe it will turn out better than the
 doctor thinks," Jack replied, with an answering
 pressure of the mate's hand.
 "I don't mean that, my boy," said the sick man
with a smile; "when I say I'll never be the same man,
I mean that, please God, I'll be a better one."
 Jack coloured, he was not inclined to be a prig,
and try to teach those older than himself, so he only
said gently-
 "And I'm going to try and be a better boy, sir."