nd men, forty hands all told.

I will pass over the leave-takings with all the dear ones at home. I
knew and felt that true prayers, as well as kind wishes, would follow me
wherever I might go.

"James," said my kind employer as I parted from him, "I trust you
thoroughly as I would my own son if I had one. I shall not blame you if
the enterprise does not succeed; so do not take it to heart, for I know
that you will do your best, and no man can do more." Mr Thursby
considered that it was incumbent on him to take a dignified farewell of
me, and to impress on me all the duties and responsibilities of my
office; but he broke down, and a tear stood in his eye as he wrung my
hand, and said in a husky voice, "You know all about it, my dear boy;
you'll do well, and we shall have you back here, hearty and strong, with
information successfully to guide Garrard, Janrin and Company in many an
important speculation; and, moreover, I hope, to lay the foundation of
your own fortune. Good-bye, good-bye; heaven bless you, my boy!"

I certainly could not have commenced my undertaking under better
auspices. Having obtained the necessary permission of the Honourable
East India Company to trade in their territories, the _Barbara_
proceeded to Spithead, and I ran down to pay a flying visit to my
friends, which was the cause of my joining the ship at Spithead in the
way I have described, and where I left my readers to give these
necessary explanations.

The convoy was standing on under easy sail to allow the scattered
vessels to come up, and as long as there was a ray of daylight they were
seen taking up their places. Now and then, after dark, I could see a
phantom form gliding by; some tall Indiaman, or heavy store-ship, or
perhaps some lighter craft, to part with us after crossing the line,
bound round Cape Horn. The heat was considerable, and as I felt no
inclination to turn in, I continued pacing the deck till it had struck
six bells in the first watch. [Note 1.] Mr Randolph, the senior mate,
had charge of the deck. He, I found, was not always inclined to agree
with some of the opinions held by our captain.

"He's a fine fellow, our skipper, but full of fancies, as you'll find;
but there isn't a better seaman out of the port of London," he observed,
as he took a few turns alongside me. "I have a notion that he believes
in the yarns of the _Flying Dutchman_, and of old Boody, the Portsmouth
chandler, and in many other such b