. Be honest, Ned, whatever ye do, for thy poor
mother's sake. But for thee, lad, I'd have left the weary world many a
long year ago."

"Oh, mother, mother, stay now--oh, do!" cried the lad. "Won't the
doctor help you--won't the parson?"

"No, lad; no doctor, no parson, can keep me here. But I'd like to see
the parson. Maybe he'd tell me about the place I'm going to; for it's
far off, I wot, and little I know of the road."

"Oh, mother, I'll run and fetch him."

Just as Ned was going, the dying woman sunk down, exhausted with
talking. "Don't leave me, boy," she faintly murmured; "it's too late
now. May God hear a widow's prayer, and be merciful to you, and forgive
me."

Her voice sank--the last words were gasped out. Her son bent his head
to hear her: he stood gazing at her face, expecting to hear her speak
again. Gradually he became aware that he was alone in the world. His
grief was too deep for tears. For hours he stood there, watching the
face of the only being who had cared for him in the world; and then Ned
Burton went out and did as she had before bade him, and, with the money
she had hoarded up for the purpose, and that produced by the sale of the
last few articles in the house, save his father's sea-chest, obtained
for her an humble funeral, truly, but not that of a pauper. Then,
leaving the chest with a neighbour till he should return and claim it,
he went forth penniless into the world to seek his fortune.

Ned Burton's ambition was to be a sailor--not that he knew anything of
the sea, except that his father had spent his life on it. His mother
could not read or write, and, unable to instruct him or to pay for his
instruction, being, indeed, too poor to do without the pittance his
labours brought, she had allowed him to grow up in extreme ignorance--
though, according to the faint light that was in her, she had taught
him, to the best of her power, to do right. Still, poor Ned knew
nothing of religion. He had never been taught even to pray. Thus,
helpless and forlorn, he went forth to battle with the world. A
neighbour had told him that big ships sailed from Portsmouth, so towards
Portsmouth he bent his steps, inquiring his way as he went. A few of
those who knew him, and had bought his mother's oranges and bobbins,
gave him a few pence, and filled his wallet with crusts of bread, and
scraps of cheese and bacon, so that he had not to beg for food.

At night he slept under haystacks or