There was a large ship, which was ready to sail, lying in the
stream; I spoke to two boys who were at the stairs in her boat, and
they told me that they were very comfortable on board, and that the
captain wanted two or three apprentices. I went on board with them, and
offered myself. The captain asked me a great many questions, and I told
him the truth, and why I did not like to remain in the collier. He
agreed to take me; and I went on shore with him, signed my indentures,
and received from him a sufficient supply of clothes; and, two days
afterwards, we sailed for Bombay and China."
"But you wrote to your mother, Ready, did you not?" said William.
"Yes, I did; for the captain desired me to do so, and he put a few
lines at the bottom to comfort her; but, unfortunately, the letter,
which was sent on shore by the cook, never arrived. Whether he dropped
it, or forgot it till after the ship sailed, and then tore it up, I do
not know; but, as I found out afterwards, it never did get to her
hands."
"It was not your fault that the letter did not arrive safe," said Mrs.
Seagrave.
"No, madam, that was not my fault; the fault had been committed
before.
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