ross-examination, with a skill which gave me
a much higher opinion of his intellect than of his honesty. With the
utmost efforts of my recollection, I could not call him to mind, and I
bluntly told him so. I then bade him tell me who he was and what he
wanted.

"I am the only son of an honest pawnbroker of Shoreditch. He was
tolerably rich, and determined to give me a good education. He sent me
to Mr Roots' school. It was there that I had the happiness of being
honoured by your friendship. Now, sir, you perceive that, though I am
not so tall as you by some inches, I am at least seven or eight years
older. Shortly after, you left school to go to another at Stickenham.
I also left, with my education, as my father fondly supposed, finished.
Sir, I turned out bad. I confess it with shame--I was a rascal. My
father turned me out of doors. I have had several ups and downs in the
world since, and I am now steward on board of the _London_, the West
Indiaman that arrived here the day before yesterday."

"Very well, Joshua; but how came you to know that I went to school at
Stickenham?"

"Because, in my tramping about the country, I saw you with the other
young gentlemen in the playground on the common."

"Hum! but how, in the name of all that is curious, came you to know that
I was here at Port Royal dockyard, and a young gentleman belonging to
the _Eos_?"

"Oh! very naturally, sir. About two years ago, I passed again over the
same common with my associates. I could not resist the wish to see if
you were still in the playground. I did not see you among the rest, and
I made bold to inquire of one of the elder boys where you were. He told
me the name of the ship, and of your captain. The first thing on coming
into the harbour that struck my eye was your very frigate alongside the
dockyard. I got leave to come on shore, and I knew you directly that I
saw you."

"But why examine so many before you spoke to me? However, I have no
reason to be suspicious, for time makes great changes. Now, what shall
I do for you?"

"Give me your protection, and as much of your friendliness as is
compatible with our different stations."

"But, Daunton, according to your own words, you have been a sad fellow.
Before I extend to you what you require, I ought to know what you really
have done. You spoke of tramping--have you been a tramper--a gipsy?"

"I have."

"Have you ever committed theft?"

"Only in a small way."