pprehended appeared to
clear away, and he walked home with Ned, resolved to carry out his
project. The cost of his expedition was now his chief anxiety. He
pictured to himself the risk of running short of funds in the great
metropolis, and being unable to pay his journey back. Then Sally would
be hard put to it for many a long month.

"His small income, poor lad, won't go far to defray his outfit and
allowance," he said to himself as he walked along. "Still it must be
done, and we'll find the ways and means. If the worst comes to the
worst, I'll go to sea, and take Ned with me. I wonder I never thought
of that before. It will make some amends to him for not entering the
navy; he'd soon become a prime seaman under my charge, and in a few
years get the command of a ship."

Such were some of the thoughts which passed through the worthy officer's
mind, but he did not express them aloud.

While pointing his telescope seaward, an employment in which he seldom
failed to spend a part of the day, he caught sight of a cutter standing
for the bay.

As the tide had just turned, and the wind was falling, it was evident
that she was about to bring up. In a short time her commander,
Lieutenant Jenkins, came on shore, and proved to be an old messmate of
Mr Pack. On hearing of his intention of going to London, Lieutenant
Jenkins at once offered him a passage as far as Portsmouth. The
invitation was gladly accepted, as a considerable expense would thus be
saved. Miss Sally having packed her brother's traps, he, late in the
evening, went on board the cutter, which, just as darkness set in,
sailed for the westward.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. At the period we are speaking of, the rule had not been formed
which makes it necessary for boys to undergo a training on board the
"Britannia" before they can become midshipmen. The Admiralty either
appointed them to ships, or captains had the privilege of taking certain
number selected by themselves.

CHAPTER FOUR.

Several days had passed by, and no news had been received from the
lieutenant. Aunt Sally began to grow anxious, though she pursued her
ordinary avocations in her usual calm manner. Desirous as she was of
being economical, she did not forget poor old Mr Shank, and Mary and
Ned were despatched with some provisions which she had prepared, and
another book from her lending-library for him. Mary, remembering