Isabella's great trouble now was, a fear lest her son should deceive
his benefactor, and be missing when the vessel sailed; but he begged
her earnestly to trust him, for he said he had resolved to do better,
and meant to abide by the resolve. Isabella's heart gave her no peace
till the time of sailing, when Peter sent Mr. Williams and another
messenger whom she knew, to tell her he had sailed. But for a month
afterwards, she looked to see him emerging from some by-place in the
city, and appearing before her; so afraid was she that he was still
unfaithful, and doing wrong. But he did not appear, and at length she
believed him really gone. He left in the summer of 1839, and his
friends heard nothing further from him till his mother received the
following letter, dated 'October 17 1840';-



MY DEAR AND BELOVED MOTHER:

'I take this opportunity to write to you and inform you that I am well,
and in hopes for to find you the same. I am got on board the same
unlucky ship Done, of Nantucket. I am sorry for to say, that I have
been punished once severely, by shoving my head in the fire for other
folks. We have had bad luck, but in hopes to have better. We have
about 230 on board, but in hopes, if do n't kave good luck, that my
parents will receive me with thanks. I would like to know how my
sisters are. Does my cousins live in New York yet? Have you got my
letter? If not, inquire to Mr. Pierce Whiting's. I wish you would
write me an answer as soon as possible. I am your only son, that is so
far from your home, in the wide briny ocean. I have seen more of the
world than ever I expected, and if I ever should return home safe, I