to me gave me much more pleasure; but the major portion of those
who threw us silver for their own amusement would not have given us a
farthing, if we had asked charity for the love of God.

It must not, however, be supposed that I gained the enviable situation
of _Poor Jack_ until I had been some time on the beach. There are
competitors for every place, even the most humble; and there was no want
of competitors for this office among the many idle boys who frequented
the beach. When I first plied there, I was often pushed away by those
who were older and stronger than myself, with a "Go along with you!
He's not poor Jack--I'm poor Jack, your honour." This, at first, I
submitted to; taking my chance for a stray halfpenny, which was
occasionally thrown to me, trusting to my activity in being the first
down to the boat, or to my quickness in a scramble. I never quarrelled
with the other boys, for I was remarkable for my good temper. The first
idea I had of resistance was from oppression. One of the boys, who was
older and taller than myself, attempted to take away a sixpence which I
had gained in a scramble. Before that, I had not resented being pushed
away, or even when they threw water or mud at me; but this was an act of
violence which I could not put up with: the consequence was a fight; in
which, to my surprise (for I was not aware of my strength), as well as
to the surprise of the bystanders, I proved victorious, beating my
opponent until he reeled into the water, following him up until he
tumbled, and then holding his head down in the mud until he was almost
stifled. I then allowed him to get up, and he went home crying to his
mother. For this feat I was rewarded with the plaudits of the old
pensioners and others who were looking on, and with a shilling which was
thrown to me from the window of the inn. Ben the Whaler, who had
witnessed the fray, told me, the next day, that I handled my fists
remarkably well, and that I had but to keep a higher guard and I should
fight well. He was an old pugilist himself, and he gave me a few
directions which I did not forget. I soon had occasion to put them into
practice; for, two days afterwards, another boy, bigger than myself, as
I was plying as "Poor Jack," pushed me back so hard that I fell off the
steps into the deep water, and there was a general laugh against me. I
did not care for the ducking, but the laugh I could not bear: as soon as
I gained the steps agai