d not expect too much from great men."

Miss Sally ran on in the same strain for some time, but all she said
failed to impart much confidence to poor Ned; still his uncle might
succeed in getting him on board a merchant vessel, and like a prudent
lad, he was ready for whatever might turn up. Next morning Ned eagerly
looked out for the postman, but no letter arrived; another and another
day passed by. It was too evident that the lieutenant had no news to
communicate.

Some days after, just as evening was approaching, a post chaise was seen
slowly descending the winding road which led down to the cottage. Miss
Sally, followed by Ned, Mary, and Tom, hurried out. Ned darted forward
to let down the steps, while Tom opened the door. The lieutenant,
leaning on the black's shoulder, stepped out. Though he smiled at
seeing those he loved, his countenance showed that he had no good news
to communicate.

"I'll tell you all about it when I have refreshed the inner man," he
said, as, after paying the driver and telling Tom to look after him, he
stumped into the house; "I am at present somewhat sharp set. It is
several hours since I took anything on board in the shape of provisions,
and my jaw tackles want greasing before I can make them work."

Aunt Sally and Mary quickly got supper ready, and the lieutenant having
said grace, took his seat at the table. Having eaten a few mouthfuls he
looked mere cheerful than he had hitherto done. His sister and the
young people were longing to hear what he had got to say.

"I told you I did not expect much from my visit to London, but it is
wrong to allow ourselves to be cast down because things don't go as
smoothly as we could wish," he at length observed. "I wrote you about
my visit to the Admiralty; well, after that, believing that their
lordships were not likely to do much for me, I called on three
shipowners to whom Jenkins had given me introductions. They were civil
enough, but all gave me the same sort of answer. They had numerous
applications to receive on board their ships youngsters whose friends
could pay handsome premiums, and in duty to themselves they were
compelled to accept such in preference to others, willing as they were
to attend to the recommendation of Lieutenant Jenkins. When I offered
to take command of one of their ships, they replied, that as I had been
some time on shore I might have grown rusty, and that they were obliged
to employ officers brought up