“God will reward you, young man,” continued he:  “and now I will explain to you how it was that I was adrift, like a bear in a washing-tub.  My first mate was below.  I had just relieved the deck, for in this blowing weather we must keep watch in harbour.  The men were all at their dinner, when I heard the boat thumping under the main channels.  I got into her to ease off a fathom or two of the painter; but as I hauled her ahead to get at the bend, it appears that the monkey of a boy who made her fast, and has been but a few months at sea, had made a ‘slippery hitch,’ so away it went, and I was adrift.  I hailed them on board; but they did not hear me, although the first mate might have, for he was in the cabin, and the stern-window was up; but hailing to windward is hard work, such weather as this; the words are blown back again down your own throat.  And now, let me know a little about you, my lad, and see whether I cannot in return be of some use to you.”

Newton’s history was soon told; and, at the conclusion, he had the satisfaction of finding that he had obtained the very situation which he had been in search of.

“I have no second mate on board,” observed the captain of the brig; “but I intended to have shipped one tomorrow.  I was only divided between which to take of two who have offered themselves, with equally good recommendations.  Fortunately, I would promise neither; and, as I think your own recommendation stronger than theirs, the berth is at your service.  I only wish, for your sake, that it was that of first mate.  I am sure you would prove yourself fit for the situation; and I cannot say that I am very partial to the one that I have at present; but he is a relation of the owner.”

The arrangements were soon made.  Mr Berecroft, the master of the vessel, advanced Newton a sum to fit himself out, and agreed with the owner at Liverpool that one-half of Newton’s wages should be allotted monthly to his father.  The next morning, as the vessel had a pilot on board, and the weather had moderated, Newton took leave of his father, and with a light heart accompanied his new acquaintance on board of the vessel.

It was early in the morning when they embarked in a hired boat,—­the one belonging to the brig still remaining down the river, where they had landed.  The first mate, as it appeared, was in the cabin shaving himself, previous to his going on shore to the owner to report the supposed loss of his superior.  The sailors were either busy or down below, so that no notice was taken of the boat coming alongside; and Newton, with the master, were both on deck before the circumstance was known to the first mate.  It so happened, that at the very same moment that they came on board, the first mate was ascending the companion hatch, to order a boat to be lowered down and manned.  When he perceived Mr Berecroft, he fell back with astonishment, and turned pale.

“I thought you were gone,” said he:  “why, what could have saved you? did you not drift out to sea?”