ious models, especially ships.
Mr Lund caught us at the job, and, taking an interest in our work, he
offered a prize for the one of us who made the best-sailing three-rigged
vessel. We made our ships and gaily decorated them. The day fixed for the
trial was regarded with keen interest by the mill-hands. The trial trip
was to take place in the mill dam, and the banks of the dam were crowded
with workpeople. The conditions were that we should sail the ships, with
the aid of a warp thread, from the head to the foot of the dam. And the
contest began. Ben's ship had scarcely been launched when it upset, being
side-heavy. But my ship sailed gallantly before the breeze, right on to
the finishing post. The spectators cheered lustily; I felt very proud, I
did. I got the prize, and was made quite a "hero" of for a few days. But
they little knew the grand secret of my success. I had driven a spindle
into the keel, so as to allow it to protrude downwards into the water;
with this in it, it was almost impossible for the ship to upset!

CHAPTER III

TO THE STAGE AGAIN

Notwithstanding the kindness which I received at the mill, I could not
settle down. I had a strong inclination to get out into the world and see
something. My ambition again returned to the stage. I began to visit
travelling theatres which came to Keighley, staying in Townfield Gate. I
joined an amateur dramatic society, composed of Keighley people. The
names of the members were:--Arthur Bland, John Spencer, William Binns,
Mark Tetley, Thomas Smith, Thomas Kay--all of whom, I believe are
dead--and Joshua Robinson, James Lister, Sam Moore and myself. There were
also a number of females, who must be all dead by this time. We had
weekly Saturday night performances in an old barn in Queen-street, which
is now used as a warehouse by Messrs W. Laycock & Sons, curriers. After a
short course of training in the society, Arthur Bland, John Spencer, and
myself became rather--ambitious I suppose I shall have to call it--and
joined the profession altogether. I should be about sixteen years old;
and I was about the youngest member in the company. My companions and I
joined Wild's Travelling Dramatic company. I was called the "juvenile,"
owing to the fact that I was the youngest member of the company. We
fulfilled engagements at Bradford, Halifax, Dewsbury, Keighley, and other
towns in the district. I considered (myself) that I made a "rare fist" at
acting, but the advice