the spot
from which they had started; they halted when they were fifty yards from
the first cottage, and the tinker, having selected a dry place under the
hedge, said, "I must stop here a little while?"

Joey, who had heard the tinker say that the men had robbed him of
thirteenpence-halfpenny, imagined that he was destitute, and as he
wished to proceed on his way, he took out two shillings, and held them
out to the man, saying, "This will keep you till you can earn some more.
Good-bye now; I must go on."

The tinker looked at Joey. "You're a kind-hearted lad, at all events,
and a clever, bold one, if I mistake not," said he; "put up your money,
nevertheless, for I do not want any. I have plenty, if they had only
known where to look for it."

Joey was examining his new companion during the time that he was
speaking to him. There was a free and independent bearing about the
man, and a refinement of manner and speech very different from what
might be expected from one in so humble a situation. The tinker
perceived this scrutiny, and, after meeting our hero's glance, said,
"Well, what are you thinking of now?"

"I was thinking that you have not always been a tinker."

"And I fancy that you have not always been a sailor, my young master;
but, however, oblige me by going into the village and getting some
breakfast for us. I will pay you the money when you return, and then we
can talk a little."

Joey went into the village, and finding a small chandler's shop, bought
some bread and cheese, and a large mug which held a quart of beer, both
of which he also purchased, and then went back to the tinker. As soon
as they had made their breakfast, Joey rose up and said--"I must go on
now; I hope you'll find yourself better to-morrow."

"Are you in a very great hurry, my lad?" inquired the tinker. "I want
to find some employment," replied Joey; "and, therefore, I must look for
it."

"Tell me what employment you want. What can you do?"

"I don't exactly know; I have been keeping accounts for a person."

"Then you are a scholar, and not a seafaring person?"

"I am not a sailor, if you mean that; but I have been on the river."

"Well, if you wish to get employment, as I know this country well and a
great many people, I think I may help you. At all events, a few days
can make no difference; for you see, my boy, to-morrow I shall be able
to work, and then, I'll answer for it, I'll find meat and drink for both
of us,