rpowered and got a bad beating. He thereupon determined
to run away, and he laid his plans accordingly. In a few days he was
far away from the sea in a safe, hospitable hiding-place, with some
friends who knew his family at home, and the _Pacific_ had sailed long
before he reached the coast again.

After a few months' travelling about, picking up jobs here and there,
he was brought in contact with a rich old Spaniard who owned a leaky
old barque which was employed in the coasting trade. The captain of
her was a Dutchman who spoke English very imperfectly, and what he did
know was spoken with a nasal Yankee twang. It was a habit, as well as
being thought an accomplishment in those days, as it is in these, to
affect American dialect and adopt their slang and mannerisms in order
to convey an impression of importance. Even a brief visit to the
country, or a single passage in a Yankee ship was sufficient to turn a
hitherto humble fellow into an insufferable imitator. It was obvious
the skipper had been a good deal on the Spanish Main, as he spoke
their language with a fluency that left no doubt as to what he had
been doing for many years. He was discovered at a time when the owner
was in much need of some one to take charge of his vessel, as she did
not attract the highest order of captain. The Dutchman had no Board of
Trade master or mate certificate; he was merely a sailor. James Leigh
was discovered in pretty much the same way as the captain, and the
owner took a strong liking to him at the outset. He was good to look
at, and gifted with a bright intelligence which made him attractive,
besides having the advantage of knowing something about navigation.
The chief mate's berth was offered to him and accepted. Furthermore,
it was suggested that he should visit and stay at the owner's house,
whenever the vessel was in port and his services were not required
aboard, and seeing that he was not yet eighteen, he felt flattered at
the distinction that had been thrust upon him. Perhaps he accepted the
invitation all the more readily as he was informed by his employer
that he had two daughters that would like to make his acquaintance.

The first voyage was to Coronel and back with coal to Iquique. Mr.
Leigh, as he was now addressed by everybody, on the ship or ashore,
had intimated to his commander that he liked his berth for the
prospects that might open up to him, but he didn't relish the thought
of having to pump so continuously