may seem curious that, young as I was, I should have remembered these
remarks, but so it was, and I had reason long afterwards to do so.

Even sooner than father had said we had hooked on to the whaler, a
barque of about three hundred tons, her black hull rising high out of
the water, and with three boats, sharp at both ends, hoisted up to
davits in a line on each side. The good-natured mate having paid the
fare and given me a bright shilling in addition, helped the doctor, who
wasn't very well able to help himself, up on deck, and we then, shoving
off, stood for the man-of-war brig.

Jack almost broke down as we approached her. Not that he was unwilling
to go away, but that he was very sorry to part from father and me, and I
know that we were very sorry to part with him.

"Jack, my son," said father, and his voice wasn't as firm as usual, "we
may never meet again on this side the grave. You may be taken or I may
be taken. What I want to say to you is this, and they may be well-nigh
the last words you will ever hear me speak. Ever remember that God's
eye is upon you, and so live that you may be prepared at any moment to
die. I can't say more than that, my boy. Bless you. God bless you."

"I will, father, I will," answered Jack, and he passed the back of his
hand across his eyes.

We were soon up to the brig. He gave me a hug and a kiss, and then,
having made fast the end of the rope hove to us, he griped father's
hand, and sprang up the side of the brig. His bag was hoisted up after
him by an old shipmate of father's, who sang out, "All right, Trawl,
I'll look after your boy!"

We had at once to shove off, for the brig was rolling considerably, and
there was a risk of the wherry being swamped alongside. As we stood
away I looked astern. Jack had climbed into the fore-rigging and was
waving to us. We soon lost sight of him. When, if ever, should we see
him again?

Having the wind and tide with us, we quickly ran back into the harbour.
For reasons which will appear by-and-by I ought to say a few words
respecting my family, though I don't flatter myself the world in general
will be much concerned about the matter. Some people are said to be
born with silver spoons in their mouths; if that means, as I suppose it
does, that from their earliest days they enjoy all the luxuries of life,
then I may say that when I first saw the light I must have had a very
rough wooden one between my toothless gums. Howe