"Don't let us speak ill of cabin-boys: there was one of them who became Admiral Nelson, and another Admiral Franklin."
"Upon my honour, friend," replied James Playfair, "you have a way of speaking which I like; bring your nephew, but if I don't find the uncle the hearty fellow he pretends to be, he will have some business with me. Go, and be back in an hour."
Crockston did not want to be told twice; he bowed awkwardly to the Captain of the "Dolphin," and went on to the quay. An hour afterwards he came on board with his nephew, a boy of fourteen or fifteen, rather delicate and weakly-looking, with a timid and astonished air, which showed that he did not possess his uncle's self-possession and vigorous corporeal qualities. Crockston was even obliged to encourage him by such words as these:—
"Come," said he, "don't be frightened, they are not going to eat us, besides there is yet time to return."
"No, no," replied the young man, "and may God protect us!"
The same day the sailor Crockston and his nephew were inscribed in the muster-roll of the "Dolphin."
The next morning, at five o'clock, the fires of the steamer were well fed, the deck trembled under the vibrations of the boiler, and the steam rushed hissing through the escape-pipes. The hour of departure had arrived.
