Horatio Alger

“ We must all come to that, and the sooner, the more suffering is saved."
"That's so," said the other sailor, tormented like the other two by thirst, aggravated by his draughts of seawater. "Good-by, Bunsby! Good-by, captain! I'm going!"
He, too, plunged into the sea, and Bunsby and the captain were left alone.
"You won't desert me, Bunsby?" said the captain.
"No, captain. I haven't swallowed seawater like those poor fellows. I can stand it better."
"There is no hope of life," said the captain, quietly; "but I don't like to go unbidden into my Maker's presence." ”

“ Captain Rushton was silent for a moment. There was a look of trouble on his face.
"You make me feel anxious, Bunsby. It is hard enough to feel that I shall probably never again see my wife and child--on earth, I mean--but to think that they may possibly suffer want makes it more bitter."
"The man may be honest, captain: Don't trouble yourself too much."
"I see that I made a mistake. I should have left this paper with my wife. Davis can keep this money, and no one will be the wiser. It is a terrible temptation."
"Particularly if the man is pressed for money." ”

“ But anxiety did not so readily leave the captain. Added to the pangs of hunger and the cravings of thirst was the haunting fear that by his imprudence his wife and child would suffer.
"Do you think it would do any good, Bunsby," he said, after a pause, "to put this receipt in a bottle, as I did the letter?"
"No, captain, it is too great a risk. There is not more than one chance in a hundred of its reaching its destination. Besides, suppose you should be picked up, and go home without the receipt; he might refuse to pay you." ”