"All places are the same to me, and I can truly say, there is not a
person on the whole earth that would 'bout ship' to get a look at me. To
be sure, I was brought up somehow, till I was able to take myself up,
but by whom, or where, is farther back than the story goes; all I know
is, I found myself, at six years old, on the top of a London dust heap,
taking a survey of the great metropolis. Whether I was left there by the
refuse gatherers, to come under the head of starved dogs, or whether I
was accidentally dropped by my lawful owner, it don't make much
difference. Well, I shook the dust out of my eyes, and made for the
water, and I've lived on the water for the most part ever since. But
there's one comfort about it, I've never been troubled with poor
relations," added he, jocosely.

"Mr. Sampson, yours is a strange history, and what is stranger still,
that you have not, in all your yarns in the forecastle, spun us this
one. But have you never, in all your wanderings, met with those whom,
you can call your friends?"

"A rough old tar like me, I must say, would not be the most inviting
craft to interchange signals with, but, thank God, I have found one, in
my long life of wanderings who was worthy the name of friend! but she,
kind, beautiful lady, is gone;" and the rough tar drew his sleeve across
his eyes, and turning toward the island, muttered,--"twelve, yes,
fifteen years ago this very month, and I the only one saved! I worked
hard, but it was of no use; it was to be. I'd gladly have gone down to
have saved her."

"Well, Sampson, I think it is you who are losing your senses now," said
Harry, as he listened to his inaudible words; "but you shall not say you
have not a friend so long as my craft sails the ocean, for I never shall
forget your kindness to me and my faithful old Nep, while exposed to the
harsh treatment of our former captain; and depend upon it, you will have
made other true friends, when the dear ones at home shall have heard of
your generous conduct. I have one of the best of mothers, Mr. Sampson,
and a sister who would make you a better man to look into her
heaven-speaking eyes! A likeness of her was among my valuables when I
left home, but it has been by some means mislaid."

"A better man, eh? well, there's room enough for that! I shall have to
lie under a close reef, and by the help of my glass, I may get sight of
her some day."

The crew of the Nautilus, after having made themselves as t