Part 29 (1/2)

I have few incidents to describe during our hoe I was far happier than I had been on board the ”Eer that affection for a sea life which I fancied I possessed I dreaded, however, the reception I should meet with, on my return home, from Aunt Deb and Mr butterfield, and from my father and brothers and sisters The only person who I kneould receive me affectionately was my mother I was very certain of it I was half inclined, froet fro Captain Mason to let e with hiain my love for the ocean I at last ly do so, my lad, if your father and friends think it best you should become a sailor, but I cannot consent to act contrary to their wishes You , present yourself to Mr butterfield; and as I am acquainted with him, I will accompany you and state how I have had the satisfaction of rescuing you from the perilous position in which you were placed”

I thanked the captain very much for his offer, as I felt that I should have one alone

Still, as we ran up the Irish Channel and sighted the Welsh coast, I felt very nervous, and could scarcely attend to th we entered the Mersey and dropped anchor off Liverpool As soon as the shi+p had been taken into dock, and the captain was at liberty, he sent for ether to Mr butterfield's office, where ere at once shown into his private roorown and altered When Captain Mason said who I was, he started, and, eyeing me keenly, at last took ain, my boy,” he said; ”but you have caused your aunt and me much anxiety, and trouble and sorrow to others of your family; but I won't say just nohat has happened Your aunt will tell you that, by-and-by I a on your native shore”

I did not then understand what he ratulatedI expected froet through, rose to take his leave, when Mr butterfield expressed his desire to repay him for the trouble and expense he had been put to on my account

”Pray don't speak of it, my kind sir,” answered the worthy captain; ”I a the lad to his friends;” and shaking me warmly by the hand, he left the office

As it was late in the day, Mr butterfield having signed a few letters, said he was ready to go hoether, he questionedrather incredulous when I assured him that I had not intentionally run away to sea

”Well, well, dick, we'll let by-gones be by-gones I shall be glad to see you act rightly in future”

I inquired if Aunt Deb was still with him

”She returned to your father soon after you disappeared, and has only lately come back to pay me another visit,” he answered

I confess I wished she had stayed at hoh I felt very nervous about the interview

”I don't think she will recognise you, and I won't tell her who you are,” he said, as I entered the house

We went into the drawing-rooh-backed chair

”Here's a young gentleman come from the sea He's come to dine with us,” said Mr butterfield