288 PRAIRIE AMD FOREST. 



and a first mate could not be procured, I was advanced to 

 act in that capacity. 



" When we got back to Clyde, the very day we sighted 

 old Ailsa Craig, my time was out, and as we ran up the 

 river with a fair wind astern and all our stunsails set, I 

 would have given most aucht if my mither and faither, who 

 lived at Saltcoats, close by, could have seen their boy in his 

 new and advanced berth. The owners of the old Kilmors 

 launched a new ship next year, and, much to my unexpect- 

 ed satisfaction, I got the berth of first officer in her. A 

 year or two after, when at Jamaica, I was offered the com- 

 mand of a brig in the Honduras trade, and here I saved 

 some money ; in three years I purchased a share, and in 

 two years more was half owner. The world prospered wi' 

 me, and every few years or so I see the auld folks and gie 

 them a little comfort in their auld age. When young, 

 many's the trout I had tane, and when I would make my 

 fleeing visits to the old hearth-stone, I would generally get 

 a day or two to try the salmon in Doon, for I was aye fond 

 o' fishing, so was my faither, and his faither afore him, an' 

 somehow I ne'er kent a fisher who was na an honest man " 

 (as he warmed with the subject, he resumed his native dia- 

 lect) ; " and when I looked at you, and heard you say you 

 were going for a bit o' fishing, my heart warmed to you, 

 and though I ha' been so fashed wi' passengers, and had raaist 

 made up my mind nare to take anither, I jist thought I'd 

 drap my rule on your account." 



The afternoon passed pleasantly; the captain had been 

 everywhere, and discoursed with great good sense and 

 knowledge upon different countries, and he was destitute 

 of the disagreeable egotism that so frequently stamps our 

 uneducated countrymen. Moreover, he was a loyal and 

 true subject of his Queen and country, which made me the 

 more appreciate him. Next morning we got to sea with a 



