soon as
he had eaten he rose and dressed himself.

I then sent for him, as I was impatient to see him and learn his
history. When he entered the cabin, it struck me I had seen his
features before, but where I could not say. To my inquiries he stated
that the brig was the Jane and Mary, of Hull, laden with coals; that
they had started a wooden end during the gale, and that she had filled
so rapidly that they got the boat from off the boom to save their lives,
but from the heavy sea running, and the confusion, the boat had been
bilged against the bulwarks, and went down as they were shoving off;
that he had supported himself by one of the oars, and was soon separated
from his companions who floated around him; that during this time the
brig had sunk, and he, clinging to the oar, had been drawn towards her
as she sank, and carried 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 pers