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worship so services are despenced with. Yes we have reason
for gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His protecting care
during the days and nights of peril through which we have
safely passed. Last night our ship took fire in the forehouse
where were packed convas, sails, and awning. It seemed almost
miraculous how we were saved. At twelve oclock the wind
calmed a little and the Captain lay down for a little rest
telling the mate to call him at three instead of four, at which
time they tacked ship. He said why he told him to call him
at three he did not know unless because he was anxious
to know how the wind kept. As soon as he went forward to
take observation he smelt smoke, and immediately commenced
investigation. They found fire among the sails. They had it
soon put out but said in a short time the ship would have been
doomed. It was a mystery how the fire caught.

Dec 5. This morning had another thrilling incident.
When the Captain came down to breakfast all was well, when
he went back on deck he found the helmsman had not kept
the ship on her course. They went to tack ship, when a