ow
at school could trace it. Consequently, fierce fights often took place
in the narrow rows, and sometimes the fisher boys would be driven back
on to the broad quay shaded by trees, by the river, and there being
reinforced from the craft along the side, would reassume the offensive
and drive their opponents back into the main street.

It was but six months since Charlie had lost his father, who was the
officer in command at the coast guard station, and his scanty pension
was now all that remained for the support of his widow and children.
His mother had talked his future prospects over, many times, with
Charlie. The latter was willing to do anything, but could suggest
nothing. His father had but little naval interest, and had for years
been employed on coast guard service. Charlie agreed that, although he
should have liked of all things to go to sea, it was useless to think
of it now, for he was past the age at which he could have entered as a
midshipman.

The matter had been talked over four years before, with his father;
but the latter had pointed out that a life in the navy, without
interest, is in most cases a very hard one. If a chance of
distinguishing himself happened, promotion would follow; but if not,
he might be for years on shore, starving on half pay and waiting in
vain for an appointment, while officers with more luck and better
interest went over his head.

Other professions had been discussed, but nothing determined upon,
when Lieutenant Marryat suddenly died. Charlie, although an only son,
was not an only child, as he had two sisters both younger than
himself. After a few months of effort, Mrs. Marryat found that the
utmost she could hope to do, with her scanty income, was to maintain
herself and daughters, and to educate them until they should reach an
age when they could earn their own living as governesses; but that
Charlie's keep and education were beyond her resources. She had,
therefore, very reluctantly written to an uncle, whom she had not seen
for many years, her family having objected very strongly to her
marriage with a penniless lieutenant in the navy. She informed him of
the loss of her husband, and that, although her income was sufficient
to maintain herself and her daughters, she was most anxious to start
her son, who was now sixteen, in life; and therefore begged him to use
his influence to obtain for him a situation of some sort. The letter
which she now held in her hand was the an