THE CALL OF THE SEA 5 



of mine, and I remember very well meeting a 

 Cook, who worked on a farm belonging to Wil- 

 liam Walker." 



"That's my father!" exclaimed the boy hap- 

 pily. "But five years ago we left Marton, where 

 I was born, and went to Great Ayton. It's quite 

 close." 



"What is your father doing now?" 



"He's working on Mr. Thomas Shottowe's 

 farm. It's a fine place, is Airy Holme farm!" 



"I'm with you there. There isn't a bigger or 

 a better-kept farm for twenty miles round. But, 

 tell me, lad, how old are you?" 



"Thirteen — or rather I shall be on October 

 27th." 



"You were born in 1728?" 



"Yes." 



"You look older than your age. Can you 

 read?" 



"Oh, yes," replied James Cook proudly. "I 

 can read, write, and I even know how to do 

 sums." 



Seeing that the countryman was looking at 

 him in astonishment, he continued: "Mind you, 

 I have been very lucky. Mistress Walker was 

 kind enough to teach me my alphabet when I 

 was quite small, at Marton, and at Great Ayton 

 Mr. Shottowe paid for me to go to Mr. Pullen's 

 school. My people aren't well off, so, you see. 



