.

He remembered, however, that he had to work; so he set about finding
employment in good earnest. His decent dress and manner were in his
favour; and he gained a few pence, though, being a stranger, not so much
as he might have gained had he known the ways of London. At night he
went back to the Refuge with a thankful heart, and commenced his
schooling. He gave his mind to his task, though he found it very hard
work, at first, even learning the letters. The next night it was
easier, and he was soon able, when waiting for a job, to employ himself
by spelling out the names over the shop doors and the words on the
advertising papers. Sometimes he could get nothing to do, especially in
very bad weather; and then he went to the industrial school at the
Refuge, if it was open, or to the day-school; and here he began to
understand the great truths about religion, of which he had before been
entirely ignorant. To one of the missionaries, who was especially kind
to him, he took a great fancy; and to this good man he used to go,
whenever he had an opportunity, and ask him questions, and to listen to
his addresses. He first here heard the glorious tidings that "God is
love;" and as he saw that beautiful principle carried out in every
department of the undertaking, he could not help saying, "Ay, truly,
this is God's work."

In little more than a year he had learned, by diligent attention, not
only to read well, but to write a fair hand, while he had added greatly
to his religious and secular knowledge; and, above all, he had become a
new creature in Christ Jesus.

One day he received a letter at the Refuge from Bill Hudson. Bill wrote
that he had just arrived at Portsmouth in the frigate to which he now
belonged, and that if Ned would come down at once, he would see him on
board the old ---, where he was sure that he would be received. Bill,
moreover, enclosed a sovereign to pay for his journey.

Ned was sorry to leave the Refuge, and yet he rejoiced at the thought of
being now able, as he had so long wished, to go to sea. His parting
from his friends and journey to Portsmouth need not be described. Bill
was at the station to meet him, and at once went with him on board the
old ---.

He was, without difficulty, accepted. Bill had advised him to show his
father's certificates. The first lieutenant spoke to him very kindly,
when he saw them, and told him that he had known his father, who was a
very good man, and