THE YOUNG CAPTIVES: A Narrative of the Shipwreck and Sufferings of John and William Doyley. [Illustration] 1850. THE YOUNG CAPTIVES. [Illustration] Here is a picture of a fine large English ship, called the _CharlesEaton_, which was wrecked in the Southern Ocean. The crew, you see, havemade a raft of some of the spars and planks of the ship, and having allgot upon it, are about cutting loose from the wreck, with the hope thatthey may reach one of the distant islands. Poor men! they did indeed reach the island; but only to meet a moredreadful death than that threatened them by the waves. Overcome withfatigue and anxiety, they no sooner gained the shore, than they all, captain, crew, and passengers, threw themselves on the earth, and soonwere fast asleep. In this helpless state, they were attacked by thecruel and blood-thirsty savages who inhabited the island, and allbarbarously murdered, except two little boys, John and William Doyley. These children, sons of a gentleman and lady who had been passengersin the ill-fated ship, were kept in captivity by the savages for manyyears. At the time of the shipwreck, John was a stout lad, thirteen or fourteenyears old; but little William was a mere infant, being scarcely twoyears of age! Think what a dreadful life these poor little orphans hadbefore them! Their kind parents cruelly murdered, and themselvesprisoners to the barbarous murderers! At first the savages treated them harshly, and made them endure allkinds of privation and hardship. Finally, after changing from one cruelmaster to another several times, they were purchased by one more humanethan the rest, named Dupper, who took them to his home on a distantisland, and treated them with a great deal of kindness. [Illustration] Dupper taught John how to shoot with the bow and arrow, with which hewas himself very expert. He also showed him their method of spearingfish, and taught him many other savage accomplishments. In Dupper'sfamily, too, the boys both learned to speak the native language, andthey soon almost forgot their own. But they did not forget their own country; at least John did not; and ashe often talked with William about their dear parents, and the pleasanthome they had left many miles away, there was but little danger ofWilliam forgetting it either. Though kindly treated by Dupper and his family, and made as comfortableas their savage mode of life would allow, yet they suffered many cruelhardships, and severely felt the change from their former to theirpresent way of living. They constantly sighed for home, and were madequite wretched by the prospect of a captivity to which they could seeno end, except in death. But the same kind Providence who had preserved them when their parentsand the crew of the unfortunate ship were murdered, still watched overand protected these despairing orphans. The day of their deliverancecame quite unexpectedly. An English vessel arrived at the island, andcast her anchor near the shore. The natives immediately manned theircanoes, and flocked on board, to trade with the strangers. John waspermitted to go with the others, and when on the deck of the vessel, he told the captain and officers all about the shipwreck, the murderof the crew and passengers, and his own and his brother's captivity. [Illustration] The kind captain listened to his story, and then set at once abouteffecting the release of the two boys, which he easily accomplished, and William soon joined John on board of the vessel, where Dupper alsoappeared, to take leave of his young friends. The kind native was quitesad at the parting, and shed tears of regret as he bade them farewell. But the boys were too happy in the expectation of seeing home once more, to grieve at parting with him, although he had been more kind to themthan any of his countrymen. The next morning early, the ship set sail, and after visiting variousplaces, she finally reached England in safety, where our two orphanswere restored to their surviving friends, by whom they were kindly takencare of. Let us hope these little boys were ever grateful to their HeavenlyFather, who had watched over and preserved them amid all their trialsand sufferings, and finally enabled them to reach their home andfriends. And let us all remember, that we can trust in Him, for He isable to preserve us, as well in the hour of danger as in that of fanciedsecurity and safety. Our lives are in His hands at all times, and it isfrom His mercy and goodness that we are fed, and clothed, and enjoy themany blessings which He constantly bestows upon us.