s but that she too had
a son coming to see her from a distance, at that very time."

"Who knows, indeed," said the man. "Ah, I am afraid my mother is dead.
Well, God's will be done."

"However," said I, "I should not wonder at your finding your mother
alive."

"You wouldn't?" said the man, looking at me wistfully.

"I should not wonder at all," said I; "indeed, something within me seems
to tell me you will; I should not much mind betting five shillings to
five pence that you will see your mother within a week. Now, friend,
five shillings to five pence--"

"Is very considerable odds," said the man, rubbing his hands; "sure you
must have good reason to hope, when you are willing to give such odds."

"After all," said I, "it not unfrequently happens that those who lay the
long odds lose. Let us hope, however. What do you mean to do in the
event of finding your mother alive?"

"I scarcely know," said the man; "I have frequently thought that if I
found my mother alive I would attempt to persuade her to accompany me to
the country which I have left--it is a better country for a man--that is
a free man--to live in than this; however, let me first find my mother--if
I could only find my mother!"

"Farewell," said I, rising. "Go your way, and God go with you--I will go
mine." "I have but one thing to ask you," said the man. "What is that?"
I inquired. "That you would drink with me before we part--you have done
me so much good." "How should we drink?" said I; "we are on the top of a
hill where there is nothing to drink." "But there is a village below,"
said the man; "do let us drink before we part." "I have been through
that village already," said I, "and I do not like turning back." "Ah,"
said the man sorrowfully, "you will not drink with me because I told you
I was--"

"You are quite mistaken," said I, "I would as soon drink with a convict
as with a judge. I am by no means certain that, under the same
circumstances, the judge would be one whit better than the convict. Come
along! I will go back to oblige you. I have an odd sixpence in my
pocket, which I will change, that I may drink with you." So we went down
the hill together to the village through which I had already passed,
where, finding a public-house, we drank together in true English fashion,
after which we parted, the sailor-looking man going his way and I mine.

After walking about a dozen miles, I came to a town, where I rested for
the nig