60 A WARNING. 



who stood with tears in his eyes, rub- 

 bing the part which had been the seat 

 of so much pain, admonished him, in 

 very strong terms, on the impropriety of 

 his conduct, in repeating or divulging 

 anything he might have heard at his 

 table. He then addressed us youngsters, 

 and warned us never to be guilty of the 

 same thing ; so saying, he waved his 

 hand, when we bowed and left the cabin. 



And never have I forgotten the lesson 

 thus early implanted in my mind, which 

 is applicable to all stations and ages; for 

 mischief, even to death, has been caused 

 by words being incautiously repeated. 

 The whole scene, from the beginning to 

 end, made such an impression on me, 

 that it is as fresh in my memory as if 

 it had happened but yesterday. 



A fatal instance of imprudence occurred 

 on the West India station, a few years after 

 I left the service ; and although I be- 

 lieve it has been recorded by one or 



