red off, and there was Mr Nelson, with a ship's
musket in his hand, close up to a big white polar bear, who could have
made mincemeat of him in a moment. The party shouted to him to return,
but he wouldn't listen to them; and they expected every moment to see
the bear turn and crush him. Still on he went, moving sideways with the
bear. When they got up, they found that there was a wide chasm which
had prevented him from getting closer to the animal. They led him back
to the ship, and when the captain asked him why he had gone, he
answered, with a pouting lip, that he had set his heart on getting a
bear's skin for his father, and that he didn't think he should have a
better opportunity.

"The captain reprimanded, but forgave him. There were greater dangers
in store both for him and all in the expedition; and for a long time
they had little hope of getting the ships clear of the ice. Mr Nelson
exerted himself to cut a channel to let them escape; and at length a
favourable wind getting up, they stood clear of it just as it was
expected that they would be frozen in. They found themselves free, and
reached England in safety. Mr Nelson had nearly been killed by the
cold, and now he was to be tried by the scorching climate of the Indian
seas. Such are the rapid changes we seamen have to undergo. He was
appointed to the `Seahorse,' and out she went to the Indian station.
The climate soon did what no dangers or common hardships could do; it
took away the use of his limbs, and almost overcame his brave spirit.
He retained home, feeling that he should never succeed in the navy or in
anything else. But then suddenly he thought, `I was not born to die
unknown. I'll try what I can do. I'll trust in Providence. I'll serve
my king and country--I will be a hero.' I heard him say this long
after, and I have often since thought if all lads were to try to do
their best, and trust in Providence, we shouldn't hear of so many as we
do getting into poverty and disgrace.

"No officer, I have heard, ever passed a better examination for
seamanship and navigation than did Mr Nelson. His uncle was present,
but did not say who the young man was till the examination was over.
Whatever he did he tried to do as well as he could; that was the reason
of his success. Just about this time, young as I was, my father took me
to sea with him, and we went out to the West Indies. We were shortly
turned over to the `Hichinbrook,' a prize captu