me to learn it, I gathered it all up in one week. Wonderful!
wonderful! for in that short time I was taught how to fill up a hole
with putty, and this is the extent of my practical knowledge of a
shipwright's task to-day. Do you mean that you only stayed a week?
you ask. That is all. And my mother had kept, until within a few
months ago, the little white smock-frock, which I wore in my work, as
a reminder in calico of my shipbuilding days.

During this week I met with still further enticements to become a
sailor boy. The building yard being in close proximity to the
'Impregnable', I could hear the brass band every morning, and what is
so enticing as music? Then, again, hundreds of boys came ashore in
large pinnaces, landing within a few yards from me, each carrying a
rifle. This was more than I could bear by way of temptation, and
impressing my parents how very much I should abhor seven years in the
shipbuilding yard, intimating that nothing would satisfy me but to be
a sailor-boy, they, within the course of a few weeks, very
reluctantly yielded to my burning request.

Having passed all necessary requirements, I joined the navy on my
fourteenth birthday. It was Monday morning, and after eating my
breakfast, I rose and wished my mother and sisters 'good-bye.' Sorrow
filled their hearts and tears their eyes--not so much because I was
leaving home for a long time, as I should see them again before the
week expired, but even this parting was considered long, for hitherto
I had not slept one night away from home. I say not so much because
of this fact, as that they were doubtful as to whether I was taking
the right step or not. My parents impressed upon me that even now it
was not too late to change my mind, even though my papers were all
signed. I can remember how eagerly my mother pleaded to burn them,
coaxing me to sit down and have another cup of tea, and to forget all
about the navy in the drinking of it.

Truth to tell my enthusiasm was fast dwindling away, but enough was
left at that moment to wish another 'farewell,' and to pass down the
street With my father who walked with me to the pier and watched the
boat bear me to the ship "Would to God I had never left home on that
morning," was an expression often on my lips during my career in the
navy. My mother's tears had been shed on the fire of my passion--it
was now becoming quenched, but not until it was too late did it
become extinguished--that is, when I had boa