ing me, she sprang up, and in her joy was about, I
believe, to kiss me as she would have done Tommy, when, recollecting
herself, she took my hand, which I put out, and pressed it warmly.
After I had told her somewhat of my adventures I asked her whether she
would allow Tommy to accompany me the next time I went to sea. The poor
woman turned pale at the question, but at last gasped out--

"If the lad wishes it, if it's for his good, I dare not say him nay--
but, oh, Master Hurricane, you'll look after him--you'll befriend him--
you'll protect him--he's my only child, and he's very simple and
ignorant of the world's ways." I promised her that I would do my best
for him, though I warned her he must trust to his own good conduct; and
soon after Tommy came in. I saw at a glance that he had the stuff in
him to make a sailor. He had grown into a stout, broad-shouldered lad,
though still rather short, with fists big enough to fell an ox, a round,
bullet head covered with curly hair, and a thoroughly honest,
good-natured countenance, not wanting in intelligence, though a snubby
nose, small eyes, and thickish lips formed his features. He had a
strong struggle in his bosom, I saw, before he could make up his mind to
tell his mother that he would accept my offer; but he could do little
for their mutual support while he remained on shore, and I left him
attempting to comfort her by telling her of the wealth with which he
would ere long return to her.

As soon as I got my appointment I sent directions to Tom to join me at
Plymouth, with a small sum to fit him out, being very certain that he
would at once be taken on board. I had a wide round of farewell visits
to pay to numerous friends who had been kind to me during my stay on
shore. They all wished me plenty of prize-money and rapid promotion,
but I cannot say that I had much expectation of getting either. I was
much concerned at this time at observing the state of my father's
spirits. His worldly affairs were, I suspected, not flourishing,
though, as he did not speak to me about them, I could not venture to
make any inquiries of him on the subject. I could only cherish the hope
that if I did realise a sailor's dream and make any prize-money I might
be able to render him some assistance. My poor mother's health also was
failing, weakened, as it long ago had been, by cares and
responsibilities of her numerous family. With a heart therefore more
full of misgivings than u