We call them the Horse latitudes - why, I do not know. But
it is time for us to leave off, and for Master William to go into the
house."
They returned home, and after supper Ready went on with his narrative.
"I left off at the time that I was sent on board of the man-of-war, and
I was put down on the books as a supernumerary boy. I was on board of
her for nearly four years, and we were sent about from port to port,
and from clime to clime, until I grew a strong, tall lad, and was put
into the mizen-top. I found it very comfortable. I did my duty, and the
consequence was, I never was punished; for a man may serve on board of
a man-of-war without fear of being punished, if he only does his duty,
and the duty is not very hard either; not like on board of the merchant
vessels, where there are so few hands - there it is hard work. Of
course, there are some captains who command men-of-war who are harsh
and severe; but it was my good fortune to be with a very mild and
steady captain, who was very sorry when he was obliged to punish the
men, although he would not overlook any improper conduct. The only
thing which was a source of constant unhappiness to me was, that I
could not get to England again, and see my mother.
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