ble, "when we're knocking
about in the Channel; all we can do is to read it when we can. Come now
to breakfast."

When we had finished I assisted Bessy to put everything away, and then
Bramble said to me, "Anderson tells me you're a good scholar, Tom; but
you must now learn what will be of use to me as well as to you. The
first thing you must learn, and which you can do on shore, are the
points of the compass, to know them at sight and tell them quickly; for
you see it's of great importance to a pilot to know exactly how a ship's
head is; and the men at the helm, although good seamen and steering
well, are not so ready at answering as a pilot wishes, and very often
stammer at it--sometimes make mistakes. Now, you see, when I'm piloting
a vessel, if you stand at the binnacle, watch the compass, and answer me
quickly how the ship's head is, you'll be of use to me in a very short
time. Go up into my room, and under the bed you will find a compass;
bring it down carefully, and I'll give you a lesson at once." I brought
the compass to him, and Bramble made me write down the whole thirty-two
points at full length upon a piece of paper. When I had done so, he
told me I must learn them by heart as fast as I could.

I studied them the whole of that day; and in the evening, finding myself
perfect, I went up to Bramble and repeated them without one mistake.

"All's right," said Bramble. "Now, Tom, give me the paper; if you know
them to-night you ought to know them to-morrow morning. I'll hear if
you do, after breakfast."

I went to bed, was tapped up as before by Bessy, assisted her to clean
everything, taking off her hands all the heaviest of the work; indeed,
what I have narrated of the first day may be taken as a sample of my
life on shore at Deal. After breakfast I repeated the points of the
compass correctly.

"Well, Tom, you have a good memory, that's certain; all the better for
you, for pilots carry everything in their heads, as you will find out.
Now, then, look here." Bramble took the glass off the top of the
compass-box, lifted up the card, and then showed me the needle below,
which pointed to the north. He then showed me the north point above,
and then the other points, making me repeat them as he put his finger on
them. As soon as I understood them, he would put the stem of his pipe
to one and ask me which it was. When I was perfect with the points, he
explained the half points and quarter points. In