p bound
round Cape Horn. The preliminary arrangements were soon made, but the
usual papers were not yet signed. As he walked through the streets of
Leith he more than once observed a man, who, he felt certain, was
dodging his steps, and whom he observed watching him as he entered his
lodgings. The matter, however, did not make much impression on him. He
was on his way to the owner's office to conclude the arrangements for
his taking command, when, as he was passing along the quays, he was
accosted by the individual he had remarked following him, and who now
asked him if his name was Rolf Morton.

"That is my name," he answered.

"Then you are the very man I want to see," was the reply. "Come along
under this archway."

Morton unsuspectingly followed his guide, but no sooner had he reached
the arch, than a body of seamen rushed out of a door close at hand. He
was wondering where they were going, when he found himself surrounded by
them, and dragged off to a boat lying at a jetty not far off.

He was in the hands of a press-gang. He had no power of making any
resistance. He was forced into the boat, which pulled away to a
ship-of-war at anchor in the Forth. He explained that he was virtually
master of a merchantman, and that the owners would suffer loss should he
be detained. He was ordered to exhibit his protection. He had none.
His remonstrances were unheeded. He found that with his will, or
against his will, he must serve his Majesty. Many other men had been
brought on board in the same way that he had been.

"It matters little, if a man does his duty, in what condition of life he
is placed; he may be equally happy in one as the other," he said to
himself; "I shall have fewer cares and responsibilities as a
man-of-war's man, than as a master of a ship. Why should I sigh and
moan thus over my lot? What can't be cured must be endured. Yes, sir,
I'll serve his Majesty, and serve him well, I hope," he exclaimed aloud,
turning to the officer who was examining the pressed men.

Rolf Morton kept his word. He was soon known as one of the best men in
the ship, and he had not been long on board before he was raised to the
rank of a first-class petty officer. He saw much service in various
parts of the world. Wherever work was to be done he was foremost in
doing it. Had he been younger, he would probably have been placed on
the quarterdeck: but he was unambitious, and contented with his lot,
though he,