meaning of which I did not understand when it was first used, became
by repetition clear and intelligible; not that I always put the right
construction on it, but if I did not find it answer when used at
another time to my former interpretation of it, I would then ask and
obtain an explanation. This did not however occur very often. As for
this first night, I was positively almost drunk with words, and
remained nearly the whole of it arranging and fixing the new ideas
that I had acquired. My feelings towards Jackson also were changed--
that is, I no longer felt hatred or ill-will against him. These were
swallowed up in the pleasure which he had afforded me, and I looked
upon him as a treasure beyond all price,--not but that many old
feelings towards him returned at intervals, for they were not so
easily disposed of, but still I would not for the world have lost him
until I had obtained from him all possible knowledge; and if his
wound did not look well when I removed the bandage, I was much more
distressed than he was. Indeed, there was every prospect of our
ultimately being friends, from our mutual dependence on each other.
It was useless on his part, in his present destitute condition, to
nourish feelings of animosity against one on whose good offices he
was now so wholly dependant, or on my part, against one who was
creating for me, I may say, new worlds for imagination and thought to
dwell on. On the following morning, Jackson narrated in substance (as
near as I can recollect) as follows:--

"I was not intended for a sailor. I was taught at a good school, and
when I was ten years old, I was put into a house of business as a
clerk, where I remained at the desk all day long, copying into
ledgers and day-books, in fact, writing what was required of me. This
house was connected with the South American trade."