re moments in human life when a word, a look, or a
thought, may weigh down the balance in the scales of fate and decide a
destiny.

"So it was with me. I was incapable of forming any plan for myself; but
accident, as it were, decided for me. I was startled from the apathy
into which I had fallen by the sudden splashing of oars in the water
beneath, and in a moment a little boat was moored to a pier within a rod
of the spot where I stood. I also heard footsteps on the wharf, and,
turning, saw by the light of the moon, which was just appearing from
behind a heavy cloud, a stout seafaring man, with a heavy pea-jacket
under one arm and an old-fashioned carpet-bag in his left hand. He had a
ruddy, good-humoured face, and as he was about to pass me and leap into
the boat, where two sailors, with their oars dipped and ready for
motion, were awaiting him, he slapped me on the shoulder, and exclaimed,
'Well, my fine fellow, will you ship with us?' I answered as readily in
the affirmative; and, with one look in my face, and a glance at my
dress, which seemed to assure him of my station in life and probable
ability to make compensation for the passage, he said, in a laughing
tone, 'In with you, then!'

"To his astonishment--for he had scarcely believed me in earnest--I
sprang into the boat, and in a few moments was on board of a fine bark,
bound I knew not whither. The vessel's destination was Rio Janeiro--a
fact which I did not learn till we had been two or three days at sea,
and to which I felt wholly indifferent. There was one other passenger
beside myself--the captain's daughter, Lucy Grey, whom during the first
week I scarcely noticed, but who appeared to be as much at home, whether
in the cabin or on deck, as if she had passed her whole life at sea. I
might have made the entire passage without giving another thought to
this young girl--half child, half woman--had not my strange behaviour
led her so to conduct herself which surprised and finally interested me.
My wild and excited countenance, my constant restlessness, avoidance of
food, and indifference to everything about me, excited her wonder and
sympathy. She believed me partially deranged, and treated me
accordingly. She would take a seat on deck directly opposite mine, look
in my face, either ignorant or regardless of my observing her, and then
walk away with a heavy sigh. Occasionally she would offer me some little
delicacy, begging that I would eat; and as, touched b