you're in a fix.' Then I fancied I saw a gilt figure-head and
three masts, belonging to a ship just about to start; so I darted
on board, but speedily jumped on shore again, when I found that two
of the masts belonged to another vessel, and the figurehead to a
third! At last I caught sight of what I made sure was it, - a fine
large vessel just casting off her moorings. The tafferel was
green. Three masts, - yes, that must be it, - and the gilt figure-
head of Hercules. To be sure it had a three-pronged pitchfork in
its hand instead of a club; but that might be my uncle's mistake;
or perhaps Hercules sometimes varied his weapons. 'Cast off!'
roared a voice from the quarter-deck. 'Hold on!' cried I, rushing
frantically through the crowd. 'Hold on! hold on!' repeated some
of the bystanders, while the men at the ropes delayed for a minute.
This threw the captain into a frightful rage; for some of his
friends had come down to see him off, and having his orders
contradicted so flatly was too much for him. However, the delay
was sufficient. I took a race and a good leap; the ropes were cast
off; the steam-tug gave a puff, and we started. Suddenly the
captain was up to me: 'Where did you come from, you scamp, and
what do you want here?'

"'Please, sir,' said I, touching my cap, 'I'm you're new 'prentice
come aboard.'

"'New 'Prentice,' said he, stamping, 'I've got no new 'prentice.
My boys are all aboard already. This is a trick, you young
blackguard. You've run away, you have;' and the captain stamped
about the deck and swore dreadfully; for, you see, the thought of
having to stop the ship and lower a boat and lose half an hour, all
for the slake of sending a small boy ashore, seemed to make him