looked at me, and as I lifted up my head to reply to the captain,
they eyed me earnestly, and then spoke to each other in a low tone;
after which they interrogated the captain. I could not hear what they
said, but I was certain they were talking about me, and that they had
suspected, if they had not recognised me. I was ready to sink to the
deck, and, at the same time, I felt a hatred of your father enter my
heart, of which, during his life, I never could divest myself. It was
as I supposed; your father had recognised me, and the following
morning he came up to me as I was leaning over the gunwale
amidships, and addressed me,--'Jackson,' said he, 'I am sorry to
find you in this situation. You must have been very unfortunate to
have become so reduced. If you will confide your history to me,
perhaps I may, when we arrive in England, be able to assist you, and
it really will give me great pleasure.' I cannot say that I replied
very cordially. 'Mr Henniker,' said I, 'you have been fortunate by
all appearances, and can therefore afford compassion to those who
have not been so; but, sir, in our positions, I feel as if pity was
in reality a sort of triumph, and an offer of assistance an insult. I
am content with my present position, and will at all events not
change it by your interference. I earn my bread honestly. You can do
no more. Times may change yet. It's a long road that has no turning
to it. I wish you a good morning.' So saying, I turned from him, and
walked away forward, with my heart full of bitterness and anger. From
that hour he never spoke to me or noticed me again, but the captain
was more severe upon me, and I ascribed his severity most unjustly to
your father. We were about to go round Cape Horn, when the gale from
the S.E. came on, which ended in the loss of the vessel. For several
days we strove up against it, but at last the vessel, which was old,
leaked so much from straining, that we were obliged to bear up and
run before it, which we did for several days, the wind and sea