one known to be connected with him hanging about Southampton doing
nothing. Besides, I know that he always meant kindly by me. He
took me in when I had nowhere to go, he gave me my apprenticeship
without fee, and, had it not been that my roving spirit rendered
me disinclined for so quiet a life, he would doubtless have done
much for me hereafter. Thus thinking it over, it seems to me but
reasonable that he should have been angered at my rejection of the
benefits he intended for me.

"In the next place, it may be that his action in shipping me
off as a soldier may in the end prove to be for my welfare. Had
I carried out my intention and gone as a sailor, a sailor I might
have remained all my life. It seems to me that as a soldier my
chances are larger. Not only shall I see plenty of fighting and
adventure, which accords well with my spirit, but it seems to me
--and a sergeant who has shown me much kindness says that it is
so--that there are fair chances of advancement. The soldiers are
for the great part disorderly and ignorant men; and, as I mean to
be steady and obedient so as to gain the goodwill of the officers,
and as I have received a good education from my dear father, I hope
in time to come to be regarded as one somewhat different from the
common herd; and if I get an opportunity of distinguishing myself,
and do not get killed by a Spanish bullet or pike thrust, or by the
fevers which they say are not uncommon, then it is possible I may
come back at the end of the war with some honor and credit, and,
the sergeant said, may even obtain advancement to the rank of an
officer. Therefore my late master, having done me many good turns,
may perhaps find that this last one--even though he intended it
not--is the best of all. Will you make my respects to him, dear
cousin, and tell him that I feel no grudge or ill will against him?