18 SUDDEN ARRANGEMENT 



something in the Avay of earning my own subsistence ; 

 and stated that he had ah^eady made arrangements for 

 my quitting home with this object. At this unexpected 

 announcement I burst into tears, and implored him to 

 revoke his decision. A captain in the Royal Navy 

 called in, and after the customary salutation, seeing my 

 distress, said, in a bluff manner, — 



" What's the matter with the lad ? " Having been 

 informed of the cause of my grief — for grief it really was 

 — addressing me, he asked, " Will you go to sea with me, 

 my boy ? " 



Dashing the tears from my eyes, I replied, in an 

 audible voice, " Yes, sir." 



Without further consideration or consultation, the 

 affair was arranged. This was on AVednesday evening. 

 On Sunday morning following I was outside the Isle of 

 Wight, steering down Channel with a flowing sheet. 



And thus, gentle reader, ended my education, in the 

 common acceptation of that term. 



