ld take a few cruises with him before I paid a visit to my
home, to inquire for my father and mother. A wild life I spent for some
time. Our lawless occupation led us into many acts of violence, in
which I was never backward. One you are cognisant of. I was in the
cavern when you and your commanding officer were brought there, and I
assisted in hanging you over the pit. I was a favourite with Myers; and
he trusted me entirely. When he was obliged to leave the country, I had
resolved to start homeward; but was engaged in running a cargo on shore,
when I was captured by the revenue men, and after an imprisonment of
some months, sent on board a man-of-war. She was bound for the coast of
Africa. I laughed at the climate which carried off many of my
shipmates; but the discipline of a king's ship did not suit me, and I
took an early opportunity of running from her.

"I lived among the blacks for some time; but it was a weary life, and
finding a trader homeward bound, I got on board, and at length reached
Liverpool. I went to my father's house. Both he and my mother were
alive, but I had great difficulty in persuading them of my identity.
When they were convinced of it, they were ready to receive me like the
Prodigal. But I had not repented. I was not fit to dwell with them. I
felt like a wild beast among lambs. I had not an idea in common with
them. When the novelty wore off, my evil habits came uppermost. I
asked my father for money. He told me that he wished me to embrace some
regular calling, and desired to know what I would choose. I laughed at
the notion. He still declined giving me the sum I asked for, but I
insisted that I must have it. My looks alarmed him, and at length he
reluctantly gave it me. With it I set off for Liverpool, where I soon
spent it. Then the first pang of remorse came across me. I thought of
the calm quiet of that home for which I had so completely unfitted
myself. I was meditating returning to it once more, and asking my
father to explain his wishes, when, as I was sauntering along the quays,
I encountered Myers. He was much disguised, but he knew me and stopped
me. He told me that he was engaged in a scheme by which a rapid fortune
was to be made; that he could not then unfold it; but that, if I would
ship on board a vessel with him, he would explain it when we were at
sea. My impulse was to refuse; but I was tired and weary, and consented
to enter a tavern with him. He