together. I would have poured out my learning to thee, my Absalom, my son!"

He rose, and stood over me; the tears coursed down his long nose from both his eyes, and from the point of it poured out like a little rain gutter upon the coverlet. I understood not all his words, but I understood the spirit of them-it was love. I feebly stretched forth my arms, and articulated "Domine." The old man clasped his hands, looked upwards, and said, "O God, I thank thee-he will live. Hush, hush, my sweet one, thou must not prate;" and he retired on tiptoe, and I heard him mutter triumphantly, as he walked away, "He called me Domine." " From that hour I rapidly recovered, and in three weeks was again at my studies. I was now within six months of being fourteen years old, and Mr. Drummond, who had occasionally called to ascertain my progress, came to confer with the Domine upon my future prospects. "All that I can do for him, Mr. Dobbs," said my former master, "is to bind him apprentice to serve his time on the River Thames, and that cannot be done until he is fourteen. Will the rules of the school permit his remaining?"

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"The regulations do not exactly, but I will," replied the Domine; "I have asked nothing for my long services, and the governors will not refuse me such a slight favour: should they, I will charge myself with him, that he may not lose his precious time. What sayest thou, Jacob, dost thou feel inclined to return to thy father Thames?"

I replied in the affirmative, for the recollections of my former life were those of independence and activity.

Thou hast decided well, Jacob-the tailor at his needle, the shoemaker at his last, the serving-boy to an exacting mistress, and all those apprenticed to the various trades, have no time for improvement, but afloat there are moments of quiet and of peacethe still night for reflection, the watch for meditation; and even the adverse wind or tide leaves moments of

leisure, which may be employed to advantage. Then wilt thou call to mind the stores of learning which I have laid up in thy garner, and wilt add to them by perseverance and industry. Thou hast yet six months to profit by, and with the blessing of God, those six months shall not be thrown away.

Mr. Drummond having received my consent to be bound apprentice, wished me farewell, and departed. During the six months, the Domine pressed me hard, almost too hard, but I worked for love, and to please him, I was most diligent. At last-the time had flown away, the six months were more than expired, and Mr. Drummond made his appearance, with a sailor, carrying a bundle under his arm. I slipped off my pepper-and-salt, my yellows, and my badge, dressed myself in a neat blue jacket and trousers, and, with many exhortations from the Domine, and kind wishes from the matron, I bade farewell to them, and to the charity school, and in an hour was once more under the roof of the kind Mrs. Drummond.

But how different were my sensations to those which oppressed me when I had before entered! I was no longer a little savage, uneducated, and confused in my ideas. On the contrary, I was full of imagination, and confident in myself, and in my own powers, cultivated in mind, and proud of my success. The finer feelings of my nature had been called into play. I felt gratitude, humility, and love, at the same time that I was aware of my own capabilities. In person I had much improved, as well as much increased in stature. I walked confident and elastic, joying in the world, hoping, anticipating, and kindly disposed towards my fellow creatures. I knew, I felt my improvement, my total change of character, and it was with sparkling eyes that I looked up at the window, where I saw Mrs. Drummond and little Sarah watching my return and re-appearance, after an absence of three years.

Mrs. Drummond had been prepared by her husband to find a great improvement, but still, she

looked, for a second or two with wonder as I entered the room, with my hat in my hand, and paid my obeisance. She extended her hand to me, which I took respectfully.

"I should not have known you, Jacob. You have grown quite a man," said she, smiling. Sarah held back, looking at me with pleased astonishment; but I went up to her, and she timidly accepted my hand. I had left her as my superior-I returned, and she soon perceived that I had a legitimate right to the command. It was some time before she would converse, and much longer before she would become intimate; but when she did so, it was no longer the little girl encouraging the untutored boy by kindness, or laughing at his absurdities, but looking up to him with respect and affection, and taking his opinion as a guide for her own. I had gained the power of knowledge.

By the regulations of the Waterman's Company, it is necessary that every one who wishes to ply on the river on his own account, should serve as an apprentice, from the age of fourteen to twenty-one; at all events, he must serve an apprenticeship for seven years, and be fourteen years old before he signs the articles. This apprenticeship may be served in any description of vessel which sails or works on the river, whether it be barge, lighter, fishing-smack, or a boat of larger dimensions; and it is not until that apprenticeship is served, that he can work on his own account, either in a wherry or any other craft. Mr. Drummond offered to article me on board of one of his own lighters, free of all expense, leaving me at liberty to change into any other vessel that I might think proper. I gratefully accepted the proposal, went with him to Waterman's Hall, signed the bond, and thus was, at the age of fourteen, "Bound 'prentice to a Waterman.”

CHAPTER IV.

"JACOB, this is Marables, who has charge of the Polly barge," said Mr. Drummond, who had sent for me into his office, a few days after my arrival at his house. "Marables," continued my protector, addressing the man, "I have told you that this lad is bound 'prentice to the Polly. I expect you will look after him, and treat him kindly. No blows or illtreatment-if he does not conduct himself well, (but well I'm sure he will,) let me know when you come back from your trip."

During this speech, I was scrutinizing the outward man of my future controller. He was stout and well-built, inclining to corpulence; his features remarkably good, although his eyes were not large.His mouth was very small, and there was a good-natured smile on his lipa, as he answered, "I never treated a cat ill, master."

"I believe not," replied Mr. Drummond; "but I am anxious that Jacob should do well in the world, and therefore let you know that he will always have my protection, so long as he conducts himself properly."

"We shall be very good friends, sir, I'll answer for it, if I may judge from the cut of his jib," replied Marables, extending to me an immense hand, as broad as it was long.

After this introduction, Mr. Drummond gave him some directions, and left us together. "Come and

see the craft, boy," said Marables; and I followed him to the barge, which was one of those fitted with a mast which lowered down and hauled up again as required. She plied up and down the river as far as the Nore, sometimes extending her voyage still farther, but that was only in the summer months. She had a large cabin abaft, and a cuddy forward. The cabin was locked, and I could not examine it.

"This will be your berth," said Marables, pointing to the cuddy-hatch forward; you'll have it all to yourself. The other man and I sleep abaft."

"Have you another man, then ?"

"Yes, I have, Jacob," replied he; and then muttering to himself, "I wish I had not-I wish the barge was only between us, Jacob, or that you had not been sent on board," continued he, gravely. "It would have been better-much better.") And he walked aft, whistling in a low tone, looking down sadly on the deck.

"Is your cabin large?" inquired I, as he came forward.

"Yes large enough; but I cannot show it to you now he has the key."

"What, the other man, under you ?"

"Yes," replied Marables, hastily. "I've been thinking, Jacob, that you may as well remain on shore till we start. You can be of no use here."

To this I had no objection; but I often went on board during the fortnight that the barge remained, and soon became very partial to Marables. There was a kindness about him that won me, and I was distressed to perceive that he was often very melancholy. What surprised me most, was to find, that during the first week the cabin was constantly locked, and that Marables had not the key. It appeared so strange that he, as master of the barge, should be locked out of his own cabin by his inferior.

One day I went early on board, and found not only the cabin doors open, but the other man belonging to her, walking up and down the deck with Marables.