with you," I answered. "Where are you bound for?"

"A South-Sea whaling-voyage," he answered. "I have been at it for some
years now, both as mate and master, and I tell you there's nothing like
it for excitement and novelty. There's our craft, Jack; the _Drake_ is
her name. Look at her. Not a finer ship for her size sails out of
Liverpool--measures five hundred tons, and carries forty hands. You'll
like the life, depend on it; and I say, if you fall in with any good
men, let me know. I like to have trustworthy men serving with me."

I promised to do as he desired, and then went on board to have a look at
the ship. I found her everything I could wish, and felt perfectly
satisfied with the arrangement I had made. Having set my mind at ease
on that point, I began to consider how I should pass my time till the
_Drake_ was ready to receive her crew on board, for she was still in the
hands of the carpenters. I bethought me, then, that I would run across
to Dublin, to try and find out my old captain. I found a large smack--a
regular passage vessel--just sailing, so I went aboard, and in two days
we reached that port. On landing I inquired for Captain Helfrich, for I
had forgotten where he lived. "There he goes along the quays," answered
the person I had addressed; and I saw a gentleman whom, from his figure,
I did not doubt was him.

"Captain Helfrich, sir, I beg pardon; but I'm glad to see you looking so
well. I'm Jack Williams," I exclaimed, running after him.

"That's my name; but I do not remember you, my man," he answered.

"I served my apprenticeship with you, and you were very kind to me,
sir," I replied; but as I spoke I looked more narrowly in his face, and
saw a much younger man than I expected to meet.

"Ah! you take me for my father, as others have done," he remarked,
laughing. "He has given up the sea long ago, but he will be glad to
meet an old shipmate; and now I think of it, I have to thank you for the
model of his old craft the _Rainbow_. Come along by all means; I'm
going to his house. You'll find him much changed, though."

So I did, indeed, and it made me reflect how many years of my life had
passed away. I found my old captain seated before the fire in a large
arm-chair, with a book and spectacles on a table by his side, and a
handkerchief over his knees. His hair was long and white as snow, and
his cheeks thin and fallen in about the mouth; but still the hue of
health had not alto