82 A ROUGH DIAMOND 



his ship came into port. I also saw some relatives of my 

 mother's ; and once my home was enlivened by a short 

 visit from my old friend the sixth mate, who amused our 

 family circle with his quaint expressions, and his bluff, 

 sailor-like manner — for, thoua:h a rouirh diamond, he was 

 a genuine, straightforward fellow, and had always 

 possessed my regard. He was at that time second officer 

 of the H.E.T.C. ship the Elpliinstone, and boasted of 

 having gone round the Cape twelve times outward and 

 homeward without carrying away a spar — so little 

 danger was there in a life at sea. Poor fellow! — he 

 at last got killed by the natives in the Straits of Malacca, 

 when going on shore for wood. 



Advancing to manhood, it is not to be supposed that 

 I was free from those little indiscretions to Avhich youth 

 is prone, nor is it necessary to particularize them. It 

 may be enough to acknowledge that, in the language 

 of the present day, I might be considered rather a 

 fast young man. Being, as it were, the representative 

 of my father, who held a respectable position in the 

 town, and having the management or superintendence 

 of an extensive concern confided to me, I had a liberal 

 alloAvance, and a good horse to ride ; this was the more 

 necessary, as I had to visit the different stages where the 

 horses stood. Such out-door exercise proved beneficial 

 to my health, so that I began to shake off all effects or 

 fear of my late malady. Among other things, I joined 

 a cricket-club, principally composed of officers in the 

 garrison — this was the means of my introduction to a new 

 and wide field of acquaintance ; and then I partook of, 

 and entered with spirit into, all the manly sports and 



