16 A YEAR WITH A WHALER 



the hard knocks or freeze to death in the Arctic 

 Ocean, you won't get a penny when you get 

 back. Don't be a fool. Take my advice and 

 give that runner the slip. If you go, you'll re- 

 gret it to the last day of your life." 



In the yellow glare of the candle, the young 

 man seemed not unlike an apparition and he de- 

 livered his message of warning with prophetic so- 

 lemnity and impressiveness. But my mind was 

 made up. 



" I guess I'll go," I said. 



He argued and pleaded with me, all to no 

 purpose. He set the candle on the table and 

 blew it out. 



" You won't come? " he said out of the darK- 

 ness. 

 " No.'* 



".You're a fool." 



He slammed the door. T never saw him again. 

 But many a time on the long voyage I recalled 

 his wise counsel, prompted as it was by pure 

 friendliness, and wished from my heart I had 

 taken his advice. 



Next day the runner for Levy's tried to ship 



