After Marble found himself an orphan again, he complained that he was little better off than a ‘bloody hermit’ at Willow Cove, and began to talk about seeing the world.  All of a sudden, he made his appearance at Clawbonny, bag and baggage, and announced an intention to look for a mate’s berth, in some East Indiaman.  I heard his story, kept him a day or two with me, while I superintended the masons who were building my addition to the house, which was then nearly-completed, and then we proceeded to town in company.  I took Moses to the ship-yards, and carried him on board a vessel that was just receiving her spars, (she was coppered and copper-fastened, A. No. 1, of live-oak frame, and southern pine decks, &c.,) asking him how he liked her.  He hoped she had a good name.  “Why, she is called the Smudge,” I answered.  “I hope you fancy it.”  Moses jerked a finger over his shoulder, as much as to say he understood me, and inquired where I intended to send the craft.  “To Canton, with you for master.”  I saw that my old mate was touched with this proof of confidence, and that his self-esteem had so much risen with the discovery of his origin that he made no objections to the trust.  I did not intend to go regularly into commerce, but I kept the Smudge running many years, always under Marble, and made a vast deal of money by her.  Once she went to Europe, Lucy and I going in her as passengers.  This was after the death of my dear old guardian, who made such an end, as became his virtuous and Christian life.  We, that is Lucy and I, remained abroad several years, returning home in the Smudge, on the last voyage she ever made as belonging to me.  Neb had often been out in the ship, just to vary the scene; and he came to Havre in her, as a matter of course, when ‘Masser Mile,’ ‘Miss Lucy,’ and their two ‘young Massers,’ and two ‘young Missuses,’ were ready to come home.  I was a good deal shocked at meeting my old friend, Moses, on this occasion, for he was breaking up fast, being now hard on upon seventy; a time of life when most seamen are unfit for their calling.  Moses, however, had held on, with a determination to convey us all back to Clawbonny.  Three days after we had sailed, the man of stone had to give up, and take to his berth.  I saw that his days were numbered, and felt it to be a duty to let him know his real situation.  It was an unpleasant office, but became less so by the resigned and manly manner in which the invalid heard me.  It was only when I ceased speaking, that he made an attempt to reply.

“I have known that the v’y’ge of life was pretty near up, Miles,” he then answered, “for many a day.  When the timbers complain and the new tree-nails hit only decayed wood, it is time to think of breaking up the hull for the craft’s copper, and old iron.  I’ve pretty much worn out the Smudge, and the Smudge has pretty much worn out me.  I shall never see Ameriky, and I now give up charge of the craft to you.  She is your own, and nobody can take better care of her.  I own I should like to be cased in something that once belonged to her.  There’s the bulk-head that was taken down, to alter the state-rooms for your family—­it would make as comfortable a coffin as a body could want.”