back of things. When I looked at mother, and see'd the way father
treated her, I made up my mind never to wed with none. I'll be no man's
mate, and I'll trust myself to none. Good-night, Will, You mean it
kindly; and I'd like to ask God, if I was sure that He was there at
all, to bless you. Good-night, goodnight."




CHAPTER V.


As Will Scarlett walked home to the small room which he occupied, not
very far from his cousin Hester Wright, he was overtaken by a young
sailor of about his own age, who linked his arm in his and spoke to
him in a half-tipsy, half-jocular voice.

"You was going to give me the slip, Will. And where be you off to at
this hour of night?"

"To bed, and to sleep," said Will, shortly. He was in no mood for his
companion's idle chatter, and resented the firm grip he had taken of
his arm.

"Then it ain't true what I heard," said Isaac Dent. "You're down on
your luck, and a bit crusty; and you wouldn't be that ef the news were
true."

"What news?" said Will "I'm tired, and that's the truth, Dent. I want
to turn in early; for most like I'll be on the briny ocean this time