that he wished to speak to me
alone. He took me into Silas Brand's cabin, and kneeling down, offered
up a few prayers, full of deep, deep love, for my preservation from all
earthly dangers, and for my acceptance as a forgiven sinner at the day
of judgment.

"Look straight on beyond this transient world in all you think, or try,
or do. Remember, delightful as this existence may appear, and
undoubtedly is to those who know how to employ it properly, it is but a
passage which leads to eternity. May Heaven guide you, my boy!" He
took me in his arms, and then I knew how his fond, tender heart felt the
parting. He burst into tears: he was not long in recovering himself.

Captain Frankland came on board. Last farewells were said. My dear
father and Jack went down the ship's side. The pilot remarked that the
tide would suit. The anchor was hove up. A steamer took us in tow;
then, after pulling ahead of us for a couple of hours or more, she cast
off. All sail was set, and free of the Mersey's mouth, away we glided
on our voyage Round the World.

CHAPTER TWO.

THE VOYAGE COMMENCED.

The _Triton_ was a well-found, well-officered, and well-manned ship.
Still, on first getting to sea, there appeared to be a considerable
amount of disorder, and the crew were incessantly employed in stowing
away the last stores which had come on board, and in getting everything
into its right place. This gave me a feeling that I was not in my right
place, for no one had a moment to attend to me, and to tell me what to
do; and had it not been for Gerard, I should have felt not a little
miserable. He was as active as any one, and seemed to be thoroughly up
to his duty. He did, however, find time to speak to me.

"I'll tell you what to do, Harry," said he; "just keep out of the way,
and look on. You'll learn more in that manner just now than in any
other. You'll have plenty of time to get up your seamanship by-and-by."

I followed his advice to great advantage. The first manoeuvre I saw
performed on board was when, having got clear of all the shoals and
dangers at the mouth of the Mersey, we shortened sail to allow the pilot
to enter his boat, and the last person we were to see for many a day
connected with home took his departure. He shook hands with the captain
and mates, and wished us a good voyage and speedy return. I watched the
boat as it proceeded towards the pilot-cutter with a curious feeling of
interest. I was ar