the kind way he was treated, wished more
than ever to go to sea. He was not aware--happily for himself--that he
could have gone to sea, in the merchant service, without being able to
read, and that only at that time, when it was resolved to raise the
character of the men in the navy, that the rule with regard to reading
and writing was enforced.

The next morning--Ned having been supplied, by the contributions of the
sailors, with a suit of clothes, a pair of shoes, and a hat, and some
shirts and other things in a bundle--the two lads left the ship, and
took the first train to London. Bill would have gladly gone on foot,
for the sake of economising his funds, so as to leave more with his new
friend; but his leave extended only over three days, and he had many
things to do.

The boys arrived in due time at London, and Bill employed as much time
as he could in showing Ned about town. As evening drew on they repaired
to Field Lane, and knocked for admission at the Refuge.

"What? William Hudson come back! What has happened to you, lad?"
exclaimed the porter.

"Yes; it's myself, sure enough. I've come back to ask for a night's
lodging, if there's room, and to bring this boy, who wants one badly.
Can I see the superintendent?"

"Yes, sure. You know the way, Bill; go on," said the porter, in a kind
tone.

The superintendent was very much pleased to see Bill Hudson, and more so
to hear the story with which he introduced Ned Burton. He promised,
gladly, to look after Ned, and, if he behaved well, to obtain regular
employment for him in the neighbourhood.

Bill found, on calculating the amount of his funds, that he might leave
some with the superintendent for Ned's use.

"I don't distrust you, Ned; but London is an awful wicked place; and if
you kept the money, it might be stolen, and you almost murdered for the
sake of it," he observed.

The next day the lads went out together, that Bill might introduce Ned
to some of the people who used to employ him. Some had forgotten him;
some had gone away; but a few remembered him kindly, and promised to
help Ned.

Ned could not help shedding tears when Bill wrung his hand, as he was
about to start back for Portsmouth. Then, if it had not been for the
Refuge, and the superintendent, and the good missionary, and the porter,
he would indeed have felt very miserable and forlorn, in the big city;
but Field Lane was now to him his home, indeed--his refuge from
adversity