rried some feet under water. On his
rising he perceived the top-gallant masts above water, and had made
for them, and on looking round he could not see any of the rest of the
crew, who must have all perished; that he had been two days on the
mast, and was perished with cold. Finding that his feet, which hung
down on the water, were much warmer than the other portions of his
body exposed to the wind, he had sunk himself down in the water, and
remained there, and had he not done so, he must have perished.

I asked him how long he had been at sea, and he said he had only gone
one voyage, and had been but three months on board. There was
something in his manner so superior to the condition of apprentice
(which he stated himself to be) on board of such a vessel; and I felt
such an interest, which I could not account for, towards the lad, that
I then asked who were his friends. He replied, stammering, that he
had not a friend in the world except a brother older than himself by
many years, and he did not know where he was.

"But your father's name? Is he alive, and who is he? You must tell me
that, or I shall not know where to send you."

The youth was very confused, and would not give me any answer.

"Come, my lad," I said, "I think as I have saved your life, I deserve
a little confidence, and it shall not be misplaced. I perceive that
you have not been brought up as a lad for the sea, and you must
therefore trust me."

"I will, Sir," he replied, "if you will not send me back to my father
and--mother."

"Certainly not against your will, my good lad," I replied, "although I
shall probably persuade you all I can to return to them. I presume you
ran away from your home?"

"Yes, Sir, I did," replied he; "for I could not possibly stay there
any longer, and my brother did so before me, for the same reason that
I did."

"Well, I promise you, if you will confide in me, that I will not force
your inclinations, so now tell me who are your father and mother, and
why you left home. You want a friend now, and without confidence you
cannot expect friendship."

"I will tell you all, Sir," he replied, "for I see by your face that
you will not take advantage of me."

He then commenced, and you may imagine my surprise, my dear Madam,
when I found that it was my own brother Philip, whom I had left a
child of ten years old, who was addressing me. He had, as he had
asserted, left his home and thrown himself on the wide world for the