n stepped
the mast and hoisted the sail, when he came aft with the mainsheet, and
told Dick to steer.

"You should never lose the chance of learning to be handy in a boat," he
observed; "you don't know when it may come in useful. You are very well
as it is, but you are not like one born to it. Howsumdever, you'll pick
up something on board the _Nancy_, and we shall have you turning out a
prime seaman one of these days."

Dick really steered very well, and Ben every now and then gave him an
approving nod. Being perfectly familiar with the surrounding scenery,
he scarcely noticed it, occupied as his thoughts were just then by the
position in which he was placed. Away to the right were the white
Needle rocks, their pointed heads standing high up out of the sea, with
chalky cliffs rising high above them; wide, smooth downs extending
eastward; below which were cliffs of varied colour, with a succession of
bays and rocky reefs; while ahead were the picturesque heights of
Freshwater, covered by green trees, amid which several villas and
cottages peeped out. Further east still, appeared the little seaport
town of Yarmouth, with its old grey castle and grey stone houses, their
gardens extending down to the water; on the starboard quarter was Hurst
beach, with its massive round castle and tall, red lighthouse; while to
the northward, extended a wood-covered shore, on which could be
distinguished numerous residences, some of considerable size, and the
town of Lymington running up the side of a steep hill.

Ben was proud of his boat, though to the outward eye there was nothing
to admire, as the paint with which she had once been bedecked had been
worn off, her sails were patched, and her rigging knotted in several
places.

"I look at what she can do!" he observed; "and a better sea-boat or a
faster is not to be found between Hurst and Spithead. It must blow a
precious hard gale before I should be afraid to be out in her night or
day."

That she was fast was proved by the speed with which she ran across the
Channel. In a short time she was alongside the lugger, which had
brought up close in shore, her crew evidently fearless of the revenue
men, two or three of whom stood watching her.

All on board knew Ben, and gave him a hearty welcome. "I have brought a
fresh hand, Jack!" he said, addressing the skipper in a familiar tone.
"I have long promised him a trip, and as it happens, it is as well that
he should keep out o