I then told him all that had happened,
and he appeared to forget that I had behaved so ill to him; he offered
me a berth on board, and money in advance to fit me out. But if he
would not remember my conduct, I could not forget it, and I told him
so, and begged his forgiveness. Well, sir, that good man, as long as he
lived, was my friend. I became his second mate before he died, and we
were again very intimate. My misfortunes had humbled me, and I once
more read the Bible with him; and I have, I trust, done so ever since.
When he died, I continued second mate for some time, and then was
displaced. Since that, I have always been as a common seaman on board
of different vessels; but I have been well treated and respected, and I
may add, I have not been unhappy, for I felt that property would have
only led me into follies, and have made me forget, that in this world
we are to live so as to prepare ourselves for another. Now, William,
you have the history of Masterman Ready; and I hope that there are
portions of it which may prove useful to you. To-morrow we must be off
betimes, and as we are all to breakfast early together, why, I think
the sooner we go to bed the better.
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