k sparrow on a round of beef! And so, Lieutenant Leigh was your
father--the bravest, kindest officer I ever sailed under! Why,
youngster, do you know who I am?"

He said this quite abruptly, and he looked as if he thought I would
recognise him.

"No," I said, smiling, "but you're a very kind-hearted man. I'm sure,
to take such an interest in a friendless boy like me."

"Friendless boy, be jiggered!" he replied--"You're not friendless from
now, you can be sarten! Why, I was your father's own coxswain in the
_Swallow_, off the coast, and it was in my arms he died when he received
that murdering nigger's shot in his chest, right 'twixt wind and water.
Yes! there's a wonderful way in the workings o' Providence--to think
that you should come across me now when you needs a friend, one whom
your father often befriended in old times, more like a brother than an
officer! I thank the great Captain above,"--and the old fellow looked
up reverently here to the blue heaven over us as he uttered these last
words--"that I'm allowed this marciful chance o' paying back, in a poor
sort o' way, all my old commander's kindness to me in the years agone!
Yes, young gentleman, my name's Sam Pengelly, and I was your father's
coxswain. If he had ha' lived he'd have talked to you, sure enough,
about me."

"I'm very glad to hear this," said I; and so I was, for my hopeful
surmise had proved true.

"Well, laddie--you'll excuse my speaking to you familiar like, won't
you?"

"Call me what you please," I answered, "I'm only too proud to hear your
kind voice, and see your friendly face. I have had all nonsense about
dignity and position knocked out of me long since!"

"Well, perhaps, that's all for the best--though mind, Master Leigh,
being your father's son, you mustn't ever forget you've been born a true
gen'leman, and don't you ever do an action that you'll have cause to be
ashamed on! That's the only proper sort o' dignity a gen'leman's son
need ever be partic'ler about, to make people recognise him for what he
is; and, with this feeling and eddication, you'll take your proper place
in the world, never fear! Now, what do you think about doing, my lad?
for the day is getting on, and it's time to see after something."

"I'm sure I don't know," I replied. "I should like to go to sea, as
I've told you. Not in a coasting vessel, like the coal brig, but really
to pea, so as to be able to sail over the ocean to China or Australia;
and