this lad is bound 'prentice to the Polly;
I expect you will look after him, and treat him kindly. No blows or ill
treatment. If he does not conduct himself well (but well I'm sure he
will), let me know when you come back from your trip."

During this speech I was scrutinising the outward man of my future
controller. He was stout and well-built, inclining to corpulence, his
features remarkably good, although his eyes were not large. His mouth
was very small, and there was a good-natured smile on his lips as he
answered, "I never treated a cat ill, master."

"I believe not," replied Mr Drummond; "but I am anxious that Jacob
should do well in the world, and therefore let you know that he will
always have my protection, so long as he conducts himself properly."

"We shall be very good friends, sir, I'll answer for it, if I may judge
from the cut of his jib," replied Marables, extending to me an immense
hand, as broad as it was long.

After this introduction, Mr Drummond gave him some directions, and left
us together.

"Come and see the craft, boy," said Marables and I followed him to the
barge, which was one of those fitted with a mast which lowered down and
hauled up again, as required. She plied up and down the river as far as
the Nore, sometimes extending her voyage still farther: but that was
only in the summer months. She had a large cabin abaft, and a cuddy
forward. The cabin was locked, and I could not examine it.

"This will be your berth," said Marables, pointing to the cuddy-hatch
forward; "you will have it all to yourself. The other man and I sleep
abaft."

"Have you another man, then?"

"Yes, I have, Jacob," replied he; and then muttering to himself, "I wish
I had not--I wish the barge was only between us, Jacob, or that you had
not been sent on board," continued he, gravely. "It would have been
better--much better." And he walked aft, whistling in a low tone,
looking down sadly on the deck.

"Is your cabin large?" inquired I, as he came forward.

"Yes, large enough; but I cannot show it to you now--he has the key."

"What, the other man under you?"

"Yes," replied Marables, hastily. "I've been thinking, Jacob, that you
may as well remain on shore till we start. You can be of no use here."

To this I had no objection; but I often went on board during the
fortnight that the barge remained, and soon became very partial to
Marables. There was a kindness about him that won me, and I was