ever, I had not yet received, although it was payable. In
pecuniary matters I was certainly well off, as my mother desired that I
would draw for any money that I required, feeling convinced that, being
aware of her circumstances, I should not distress her by any
extravagancies in that she did me justice.

I was now eighteen years old, and just starting again on my career. As
I grew up, my likeness to Captain Delmar became more remarkable every
day. My mother could not help observing it even to me. "I almost wish
that it was not so, my dear mother. I fear it will be the cause of
annoyance to Captain Delmar; but it cannot be helped. At all events, it
must satisfy him, allowing that he has any doubt (which I am sure he has
not), that I am his own child."

"That I believe to be quite unnecessary," replied my mother with a deep
sigh.

"I should think so too, my dear mother," replied I, caressing her
kindly. "At all events, I will prove, whether I ever obtain it or not,
that I am not unworthy of the name of Delmar: but I must wait no
longer--the coach is about to start. Adieu, and may God bless you."

On my arrival at Plymouth--or Plymouth Dock, as Devonport was then
called--I inquired at which hotel Captain Delmar had taken up his
quarters. It was the one to which I had intended to have gone myself;
but I immediately had my luggage taken to another, for I really believe
that Delmar would have considered it a great liberty for any one of his
officers to presume, to lie down in the same caravanserai as himself.
The next morning I sent up my name and was admitted.

"Good morning, Mr Keene," said the captain. "I presume that you have
come down to request to join my ship, and I therefore consent before you
make the request. I trust you will always show the same zeal and
deference to your officers that you did in the Calliope. You have grown
very much, and are now a young man. I shall give you the rating of
mate, and I trust you will not do discredit to my patronage."

"I trust not, Captain Delmar," replied I. "I have but one wish in the
world, which is to please you, who have so befriended me from my
boyhood. I should be very ungrateful if I did not do my duty with zeal
and fidelity; I am indebted to you for everything, and I am aware I must
look to you for every future prospect. I have to thank you, sir, for
your great kindness in publishing my name in the public Gazette."

"You deserved it, Mr Keene, and