see if I can get aboard any ship, and work my passage."

"Whew!--oh!--here, wait a bit, my boy; I must ask the Lord to help me.
I have been crying and groaning like a baby; that won't do. No, Dick
Colley, you mustn't be a coward. Pain! well, what's pain! Toby there
would bear it better!"

After a moment's silence the man said--

"Now, heave-to, my boy, and I'll put down the right leg, and make you
answer for the left. Ahoy! ahoy!"

The "ahoy" was nearly a groan again, and then there was a muttered oath.

"Did ye hear that, boy? That's the hardest job a man has to do--to
cure himself of cursing. It's worse than drinking. I've been hard at
it for a twelvemonth now, and I'm blessed if I ain't beaten over and
over again. This pain will---- Don't you think, boy, I consider it a
fine thing to swear, and take the Lord's name in vain. I think it is a
shame to do it--and I beg Him to forgive me the next minute. It's just
this--that habits, bad or good, stick like a leech. Now then, ahoy!"

This time Dick Colley was fairly on his feet, and by the support of
Jack's strong shoulder progress towards the quay was made.

It was slow and difficult, and Toby followed close to his master's side
with a dejected air, his stubby tail between his legs, giving every now
and then a little whine of sympathy.

"I am hard put to it, lad, to get along. I am feeling faintish and
bad; but I can't afford to lose this voyage; it's a long one, and good
pay, and I've an old mother and a pack of children to keep."

"Rest a bit," said Jack. "Here's a post will do."

"Ay; I dare say I'm pretty near breaking your shoulder-blade. I shan't
forget you, youngster. I say, what's up? mischief, eh?"

"I want to be off to sea just for a bit. Will you take me?"

"Well, I must go aboard first, before I can promise. Now then, on we
go."

The quay was reached at last, and it was now broad daylight.

The stately ships were all getting under weigh, and there was no bustle
or noise. The cargoes had been shipped overnight, and there was only a
silent waiting for the tide.

"Here she is; here's my berth. You help me aboard, and we'll see what
can be done."

"Dick Colley, the mate, as sure as I'm alive!" said one of the crew,
who was turning a loose cable round and round into a coil of many
circles. "Why, old chappie, what's amiss with 'ee?"

"Give us a hand aboard. I've been and sprained my ankle. This
youngster helped me along, or