lough
for one day to gratify him, but I left it with a firm resolution to do
so no more, and in despite of his threats and promises, adhered to my
determination. In this I was guided no less by necessity than will.
During my father's life, in attempting to clamber up a table I had
fallen backward, and drawn it after me: its edge fell upon my breast,
and I never recovered the effects of the blow; of which I was made
extremely sensible on any extraordinary exertion. Ploughing, therefore,
was out of the question, and, as I have already said, I utterly refused
to follow it.

As I could write and cypher, as the phrase is, C----next thought of
sending me to Newfoundland, to assist in a store-house. For this purpose
he negotiated with a Mr. Holdsworthy of Dartmouth, who agreed to fit me
out. I left Ashburton with little expectation of seeing it again, and
indeed with little care, and rode with my godfather to the dwelling of
Mr. Holdsworthy. On seeing me, this great man observed with a look of
pity and contempt, that I was "too small," and sent me away sufficiently
mortified. I expected to be very ill received by my godfather, but he
said nothing. He did not, however, choose to take me back himself, but
sent me in the passage-boat to Totness, whence I was to walk home. On
the passage, the boat was driven by a midnight storm on the rocks, and I
escaped with life almost by a miracle.

My godfather had now humbler views for me, and I had little heart to
resist any thing. He proposed to send me on board one of the Torbay
fishing boats; I ventured, however, to remonstrate against this, and the
matter was compromised by my consenting to go on board a coaster. A
coaster was speedily found for me at Brixham, and thither I went when
little more than thirteen.

My master, whose name was Full, though a gross and ignorant, was not an
ill natured man; at least not to me: and my mistress used me with
unvarying kindness; moved perhaps by my weakness and tender years. In
return, I did what I could to requite her, and my good will was not
overlooked.

Our vessel was not very large, nor our crew very numerous. On ordinary
occasions, such as short trips, to Dartmouth, Plymouth, &c. it consisted
only of my master, an apprentice nearly out of his time, and myself:
when we had to go further, to Portsmouth for example, an additional hand
was hired for the voyage.

In this vessel, the Two Brothers, I continued nearly a twelvemonth; and
here I