as to leave the boat. I gave him a look of
thankfulness and left.

I tramped through the crowded London streets unheedingly. I did not
realise the seething surging, masses of people; I forgot that I was in
the greatest city of the world, the centre of thought, and power, and
learning.

At length I came to London Bridge. I did not know it at the time, but
I have since learned that such was the fact. I stood for a little
while wondering at the great crowds of busy people, and then I looked
at the broad, dirty river. A large vessel was being unloaded of her
cargo, and I went straight to the captain.

I asked him for a place among the crew. He looked at me suspiciously
and then said, "Who was your last captain?"

I told him.

"Let's have a look at your papers," he said.

Although I had not looked at what Captain Luke Miller had given me, I
handed the certificate to this skipper, who read it carefully.

"I'll engage you," he said, giving me back my certificate.

I looked at it afterwards and found the reason of my ready acceptance.
Luke Miller had proved a friend indeed, and had spoken very highly of
me.

In a few days we set sail, during which time I remained on board. I
had no desire to see London; I wished to be away on the broad, deep sea.

I found that we were bound for a long voyage, and that the captain had
got together a very motley crew. This did not trouble me; in fact, I
was glad on both scores. The journey would take me away--I cared not
where, the savagery of the crew accorded with my own wild feelings.
They were a poor, degraded set, weak physically, and with the stamp of
villainy upon them. Their conversation was degrading, their every
thought was steeped with filth. I soon made myself a sort of
unofficial captain among them, and by a strong will held them in
subjection.

I dropped my pen at the last word, for I found myself beginning to
describe in detail my seafaring experience, and I must not do that. It
is not necessary, nor will it be interesting. One or two prominent
facts I shall relate, the rest must be imagined.

I sailed with this captain and this crew nearly twelve months, then I
left them, and for the next seven years I went from ship to ship and
from crew to crew.

I need not have done so, but I determined not to set my foot on English
ground. I wished to keep away from every association and thought of my
past life. There is not much that I need describe. I had t