distressed to perceive that he was often very melancholy. What
surprised me most was to find that during the first week the cabin was
constantly locked, and that Marables had not the key; it appeared so
strange that he, as master of the barge, should be locked out of his own
cabin by his inferior.

One day I went early on board, and found not only the cabin doors open,
but the other man belonging to her walking up and down the deck with
Marables. He was a well-looking, tall, active young man, apparently not
thirty, with a general boldness of countenance strongly contrasted with
a furtive glance of the eye. He had a sort of blue smock-frock
over-all, and the trousers which appeared below were of a finer texture
than those usually worn by people of his condition.

"This is the lad who is bound to the barge," said Marables. "Jacob,
this is Fleming."

"So, younker," said Fleming, after casting an inquiring eye upon me,
"you are to sail with us, are you? It's my opinion that your room would
be better than your company. However, if you keep your eyes open, I'd
advise you to keep your mouth shut. When I don't like people's company,
I sometimes give them a hoist into the stream--so keep a sharp look out,
my joker."

Not very well pleased with this address, I answered, "I thought Marables
had charge of the craft, and that I was to look to him for orders."

"Did you, indeed!" replied Fleming, with a sneer. "I say, my lad, can
you swim?"

"No, I can't," replied I--"I wish I could."

"Well, then, take my advice--learn to swim as fast as you can for I have
a strong notion that one day or other I shall take you by the scruff of
the neck, and send you to look after your father."

"Fleming! Fleming! pray be quiet!" said Marables, who had several times
pulled him by the sleeve. "He's only joking, Jacob," continued Marables
to me, as, indignant at the mention of my father's death, I was walking
away to the shore, over the other lighters.

"Well," replied I, turning round, "if I am to be tossed overboard, it's
just as well to let Mr Drummond know, that if I'm missing he may guess
what's become of me."

"Pooh! nonsense!" said Fleming, immediately altering his manner, and
coming to me where I stood in the barge next to them. "Give us your
hand, my boy; I was only trying what stuff you were made of. Come,
shake hands; I wasn't in earnest."

I took the proffered hand, and went on shore. "Nevertheless," thought
I, "I