ye," and as he said this he scowled round upon the crowd, "don't lay a
finger on him again ne'er one of you."

Nor did they one or any of them from that time forth. Le Gros's
chastisement proved effectual in restraining him, and its example
affected all the others.

From that time forth my existence became less miserable, though for many
reasons it was sufficiently still hard enough to endure. My protector
was strong to shield me from the crew, but I had still the captain, the
carpenter, and the mate for my tormentors.

CHAPTER FOUR.

My condition, however, was greatly improved. I was allowed my full
share of the "lob-scouse," the "sea-pies," and "plum-duff," and was no
longer hunted out of the forecastle. I was even permitted to sleep on
the dry lid of a sailor's chest, and had an old blanket given me by one
of the men--who did it out of compliment not to myself but to Brace,
whose good opinion the man wanted to secure. Another made a present of
a knife, with a cord to hang it around my neck, and a tin platter was
given me by a third. Such are the advantages of having a powerful
patron. Many little "traps" were contributed by others of the crew, so
that I soon had a perfect "kit," and wanted nothing more.

Of course I felt grateful for all these odds and ends, though many of
them were received from men who had formerly given me both cuffs and
kicks. But I was never slow to forgive, and, friendless as I had been,
I easily forgave them. I wanted all these little matters very badly.
Boys who go to sea in the usual way go well provided with change of
clothes--often two or three--with plates, knives, fork, and spoon, in
short, a complete apparatus for eating.

In my hurry to get away from home I had not thought of bringing one
single article of such things; and, consequently, I had nothing--not
even a second shirt!

I should have been in a terrible fix, and was so, in truth, until the
day on which Ben Brace thrashed the French bully; but from that time
forward my condition was sensibly better. I felt grateful, therefore,
to my protector, but another incident occurred shortly after, that not
only increased my gratitude to the highest degree possible, but seemed
also to make the man's friendship for me still stronger than before.

The incident I am about to relate is one that has often occurred to
sailor boys before my time, and no doubt will occur again, until
governments make better laws for the regu