up the river, that we had better remain where
we were. I narrated our accident; and my clothes having been dried at
the caboose, I dressed myself and went on deck. My companion, the
waterman, did not escape so well; his foot was frostbitten, and he lost
four of his toes before he recovered. It was singular that he, who was a
man grown up, should suffer so much more than I did. I cannot account
for it, except that my habit of always being in the water had hardened
me more to the cold. We remained on board two days, during which we were
treated with great kindness.

It was a fine bright morning, when, as the ship was passing the
hospital, we shoved the wherry off, and landed at the steps; and when we
jumped out we were greeted by all who were standing there. We had very
naturally been given up for lost. They supposed that we had perished in
the snowstorm. Old Ben was among those who were standing at the steps,
and he walked up with me toward my mother's house.

"I did go to the old woman and break the matter to her in a becoming
way, Jack," said Ben; "but I can't say that she appeared to take it much
to heart, and that's the truth. Had it been little Jenny, she'd have
cried her eyes out."

I arrived at Fisher's Alley, and the neighbors looked out; and as I
nodded to them they cried, "Why, here's Jack come back again. Where have
you been to, Jack?" This passing from mouth to mouth at last reached my
mother's ears; she looked out and saw me and old Ben close to the door.

"Here be your son, missus," said Ben; "so you may thank God for His
mercy."

But my mother did not appear to be very thankful. She turned round and
went in. I followed her, while Ben was standing at the door in amazement
at her not flying to me and kissing me. On the contrary she must have
been angry at my return, for she commenced singing:

"Jack and Gill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water;
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Gill came tumbling after."

And then she broke out: "And where have you been, you good-for-nothing
boy, all this time? putting me to all this useless expense that you
have; all my money thrown away for nothing." I looked at the table and
perceived that she had been making a black dress and bonnet, to put
little Virginia into mourning; for she never let slip an opportunity to
dress out my sister.

"Fifteen good shillings thrown away and lost, all by your coming back.
Your sister would hav