f that you may sustain to the utmost the credit
of the service, and, I doubt not, you will have no cause to regret
entering it. I might have wished to keep you longer at home, but I am
unwilling to miss the opportunity of sending you to sea under charge of
a commander of the high character and attainments possessed by Captain
Frankland. He, in the kindest way, tells me that he is ready to take
you; and he also informs me that a relative of mine is one of the
officers appointed to his ship, Silas Brand by name. You have heard as
speak of my good Cousin Martha, Mrs Brand; Silas is her only son. He
was a steady, good lad when I last heard of him before he went to sea,
and I daresay that you will find him a firm friend. At all events, I am
sure, from Captain Frankland's remarks, that he will prove a profitable
one. He tells me also that his proposed voyage will be one of very
great interest; that the owners of the ship have a variety of objects in
view; so that he expects to visit a number of interesting places during
the voyage, which is, in fact, to be completely round the world."

"Round the World!" I exclaimed. "How delightful! And am I actually
going to sail all round the world in my first voyage? Well, I did not
expect anything so good as that. Isn't it a first-rate chance, papa?"

"It may be very long before you return, my boy," replied my father. "I
trust, however, that you will proportionately profit by the voyage.
Captain Frankland says, that he hopes to make you something of a seaman
before you return. You will, I trust, make the best use of his
instructions."

I promised that I would, and sincerely intended to keep my promise. So
it was finally settled that I was to go to sea, and few lads were ever
sent afloat under better auspices than I enjoyed. I cannot fully
describe the agitating sensations which passed through my bosom when I
began to reflect on the approaching consummation of my wishes. While my
heart beat with anticipated pleasure at the strange sights I was to
behold, I could not but contemplate with sorrow the thoughts of leaving
so many dear ones behind. Not that I for a moment hesitated what I
would do, but the sharp edge of the enjoyment I might have felt was
entirely blunted. Still, I went about talking with a keen relish of all
I was to see, and what I was to do, while the preparations for my outfit
were in progress; and I not a little excited the envy of my younger
brothers,