talked to you
before. Come, you've run away now?"

"Yes," the boy said.

"Then you've been and acted very foolish, let me tell you. I did the
same, boy, and I've repented it all my life. I grieved the best of old
fathers by my wild career, and then I ran off; and when we put into
port after the first voyage, I went to the old place to find him dead.
Now, how do you think I felt? Why, ready to kill myself with remorse.
What if you find your mother dead, when we put into port again? Now
look here, boy. You've done me a good turn, and I'll do you one. I'll
get the captain to put you ashore, if you choose, and I'll put a few
shillings in your pocket to get back home. Do you hear?"

"Yes," Jack said, "I hear; but I am in for it now, and I had better
stick to it. I should only make more trouble by going back. That old
aunt, who made my life miserable, would only be worse than ever. No,
sir, thank you; I'll go on, and I must put up with it."

"Lie on the bed you've made for yourself, lad? Ah, that's a precious
uneasy one! I'd like to tell you how I made mine, and I will some day;
but now you'd better turn in, there's the watch on deck, telling
midnight."

"Where am I to turn in?" Jack asked.

"There's an empty hammock close by. Climb up there, and sleep till I
call you. There isn't much sleep for me. Good-night."

Jack found it no easy matter to climb into the hammock. Like
everything else, it requires practice; he took off his boots and made
attempts to clamber up, but failed each time.

"You young cur, what are you about?" called a gruff voice. "Can't you
turn in without waking a fellow from his sleep? Get along with you;"
and a leg was thrust out, which gave Jack a very emphatic kick.

At last he gave up the attempt, and taking off his jacket he made a
pillow of it, and curled himself up on the deck.

The motion of the ship began to be more decided, for just at dawn a
fresh breeze sprung up, and the _Galatea_ curtesied on the crest of the
waves, and the water made a splash against her sides. Jack was rolled
against a locker, and found sleep impossible.

The sailor who had grumbled at his disturbing him by his unsuccessful
attempt to get into his berth, turned out at three o'clock, to relieve
the watch on deck, and stumbling over Jack exclaimed--

"You baby bunting! So you can't get to your berth! I'll teach you!"
And taking Jack roughly by one arm and leg, he tossed him as if he had
bee