A Chapter of Adventures

e that, with the small sum of money at her disposal, the only method she could see of making ends meet was to go down to Leigh and invest it in a bawley. She had never told Jack t

e been as a ship's-boy. In such a rough life he would have had no time whatever to continue his studies, and would speedily have forgotten most that he had learned, and he might have

on would follow some line that would maintain him in his own rank of life, and she fretted at the thought that Jack would settle down for life as a Leigh fisherman, and that Lily would probably in time become a fisherman's wife. W

ankful indeed that he should have such a chance of getting on. I am m

t place, I am sure you must wish sometimes that your little girl could have an education of a different kind to that which she can obtain here. Now, I should like to send her to a good school where she would be well educated. We need not look fart

s. "But in the first place, I don't think I could bring myself to part wit

ndreds of pounds; and it is nonsense because he saved lives instead of goods there should be no reward for the service. As to your first reason, I can quite enter into it; and I know that I should not have liked to be parted from Mildred. Ther

onger, and you might therefore be as well anywhere else as here. Your brother can look after your interests in your boat, and you will get the same share of

o me, therefore, that it would be better if you were to move again, say to Dulwich, where no doubt you have still friends, having lived there for so long. Then you could send

self how your child is getting on. Do not give an answer to me now: it will be another week before my husband can be moved up to town, so there will be plenty of time for you to look at it in all lights be

nds with Mrs. Robson and at once went ou

id, in answer to his look. "Your

his cap in the air he caught it again, and then started home at a run at the top of his

ould not think of doing it if it makes you unhappy. Although you did tell Mrs. Godstone that you consented, I will go of

abroad, and I shall be no worse off than they are. I am very pleased, indeed, that you should have the life you wish for open to you. There is now a far better prospect of your getting on and doing well than there was when your

ck the proposal that

er cared for myself, but I have sometimes been so sorry when I thought that

been a great grief to me too when I have thought of Lily's future. For myself, I do not like taking the money-that you can well believe,-but for her sake I should be very wrong to refuse the offer. I shall be sorry to leave Leigh; and yet, you see, after living for thirt

there so long and mixing with people so different in their ways. And won't it be splendid having a nice little ho

on said. "My own mind is quite made up; still I should

agreed with Mrs. Robson that

ainly best for you and the young ones for you to accept the offer. It is a grand thing for Lily; and thou

t of restraint upon himself, and had often informed Ben confidentially that Bessy had grown altogether too nice for him. When, therefore, Mrs. Godstone called again at the end of the week, Bessy thankfully accepted her offer, and it was settled that she should move up to Lon

ttage that would suit them well, and to this a fortnight later they moved up with their belongings. The very day after they moved in, Jack received a letter from Captain Murch

hip of about eight hundred and fifty tons. A number of riggers were at work on board, and Captai

way things should be done as you would do in six months afloat. Mr. Timmins, this is Jack Robson, who sails with us as a midshipman. He is the lad I told you of who aided in saving all our lives on board the Petrel. If it had not been for him and the two men with him the house of Godstone & Son would have lost its head. As the owner as well as myself owe so much to him, I am sure you will

n. This is a rigger's job; but it is well to learn how everything is done, because you may be called upon to do it any moment. Do not be afraid of asking me questions about anything you do not understand, and

a couple of hours, Mr. Timmins. Afte

rs. Your own things will do well enough until we get the riggers out of the ship and the painting done. Till then Mr. Timmins will be the only officer on board; the others will not join till she begins to take in her cargo. The secon

st of the day watched the operations of the riggers. With many of the processes he was already familiar, but he observed several differences in the methods pursued

eady about the serving and parcelling of ropes and stays, but likely enough they are done in a different fashion here to what they are on board a smack. I will speak to the head-rigger myse

ne of the gangs, and he worked steadily until

to get here; so as at present you are a sort of volunteer, it will be quite time enough if you are here by eight. I am glad to see that you are handy at your work; but that I expec