gs, and many other articles. Altogether, the smell was
anything but agreeable.

"Here is poor Peter's bed," said Mrs Chopper; "I changed his sheets the
night before he was drowned, poor fellow! Can I trust you to put the
candle out?"

"Oh, yes; I'll be very careful."

"Then, good night, boy. Do you ever say your prayers? poor Peter always
did."

"Yes, I do," replied Joey; "good night."

Mrs Chopper left the room. Joey threw open the window--for he was
almost suffocated--undressed himself, put out the light, and, when he
had said his prayers, his thoughts naturally reverted to the little Emma
who had knelt with him on the road-side.

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

IN WHICH OUR HERO GOES ON DUTY.

At five o'clock the next morning Joey was called up by Mrs Chopper; the
waterman was in attendance, and, with the aid of Joey, carried down the
various articles into the boat. When all was ready, Mrs Chopper and
Joey sat down to their breakfast, which consisted of tea, bread and
butter, and red herrings; and, as soon as it was finished, they
embarked, and the boat shoved off.

"Well, Mrs Chopper," said the waterman, "so I perceive you've got a new
hand."

"Yes," replied Mrs Chopper; "don't you think he's the moral of poor
Peter?"

"Well, I don't know; but there is a something about the cut of his jib
which reminds me of him, now you mention it. Peter was a good boy."

"Aye, that he was, and as sharp as a needle. You see," said Mrs
Chopper, turning to Joey, "sharp's the word in a bumboat. There's many
who pay, and many who don't; some I trust, and some I don't--that is,
those who won't pay me old debts. We lose a bit of money at times, but
it all comes round in the end; but I lose more by not booking the things
taken than in any other way, for sailors do pay when they have the
money--that is, if ever they come back again, poor fellows. Now,
Peter."

"What! is his name Peter, too?"

"Yes, I must call him Peter, William; he is so like poor Peter."

"Well, that will suit me; I hate learning new names."

"Well, but, Peter," continued Mrs Chopper, "you must be very careful;
for, you see, I'm often called away here and there after wash clothes
and such things; and then you must look out, and if they do take up
anything, why, you must book it, at all events. You'll learn by-and-bye
who to trust, and who not to trust; for I know the most of my customers.
You must not trust a woman--I mean any of the sailors'