“‘Oh, Archy, Archy, I didn’t think this of you!’

“’Well, Andrew, I didn’t know it was you, but there’s no help for it; you must come and serve in the maintop along with me, and give up all chance of being a mate or captain of a merchant vessel.  We’re in bad luck, that’s clear, but it can’t be helped.’  There was a good laugh on board of the man-of-war at Archy pressing his own brother, and the captain was very much amused.  ‘I’m very sorry for it,’ said Archy.

“Now the captain was short of midshipmen, and, being obliged to sail immediately, he determined to put Archy on the quarter-deck, and so he did, while Andrew served in the maintop.  But this did not last long.  The captain, who liked Andrew quite as well, and who knew their family and connections, put Andrew also on the quarter-deck; and what was the consequence?  Why, they are now both post-captains, commanding fine frigates.  So you see, going on board of a man-of-war, which they conceived as their ruin, was the means of their rising to rank and riches, for they have been very lucky in the service.  I heard Captain Archibald tell the story himself one day as I helped at dinner in the cabin when I was coxswain with Sir Hercules.”

“Well, father, that’s a good story to the point, but I do not see that I ever have any chance of being a post-captain.”

“Don’t seem much like it, certainly; but you’ve a good chance of being a pilot.”

“Yes, that I certainly have; and a pilot is always respected, go on board what ship he may.”

“To be sure he is, because he is supposed to have more knowledge than any one on board.”

“Then I am contented, father, with the prospect of being respectable; so there’s an end of that business, except that I must write and thank the captain for his kindness.”

“Just so, Tom.  Do you dine with me?”

“No, father.  I promised to meet Bramble at the ‘Jolly Sailors.’  We are going up to Mr. Wilson’s.”

“Ay, about the farm he wants to buy.  Well, the clock is striking, so good-by till this evening.”

I must explain to the reader that Mr. Wilson, having heard of Bramble’s intention to purchase the farm, very kindly interfered.  He had a son who was a solicitor at Dover, and he recommended Bramble not to appear personally, but let his son manage the affair for him, which he promised should be done without expense.  The next morning Bramble and I took our leave and quitted Greenwich, taking the coach to Dover; for Bramble, having a good deal of money in his pocket, thought it better to do so than to wait till he could take a ship down the river.  On our arrival at Dover we called upon Mr. Wilson’s son, who had already made inquiries, and eventually obtained the farm for Bramble for two hundred pounds less than he expected to give for it, and, very handsomely, only charged him for the stamps of the conveyance.  When we arrived at Deal we found Mrs. Maddox quite recovered, and sitting with little Bessy in the parlor below.