'This lad is my son, sir,' Captain Clewlin explained. 'He is bent on making a voyage with you, and in due course may, perhaps, become a good sailor.'
'I hope so, sir,' the officer replied. 'If he obeys orders we shall get on together all right.'
'There is little fear of his not doing so,' the captain said. 'He's had a good education, and careful home training by one of the best and truest women that ever breathed.'
By that time Jack's clothes chest and bed gear had been placed in the deck-house, and as father and son stood together in the room the former earnestly addressed the boy—
'Jack,' he said, and pressed the lad's hand, 'you are now on the eve of your real life. I took to it before your age, and know what difficulties and temptations surround the life of those who "go down to the sea in ships." Three truths I would earnestly impress on your mind. Never forget to read your Bible, no matter what sneers, or even rough usage, may be brought to bear by those who do not love God, and would endeavour to lead you from that straight and narrow course which your dear mother trod, but from which it is so easy to stray. You promise, Jack?'
'Yes, dad,' Jack replied; 'I shall always do so, no matter what may happen.'
'Good boy!' the captain exclaimed. 'Remember God has said that "them that honour Me I will honour," and that assurance is as true as every other contained in the Bible. And there are two things I want you to avoid. Shun all intoxicating liquors, and do not smoke before you have reached the years of manhood. I am most anxious that you should remember these matters. I hope you will return home as pure and good a lad as I leave you now; but, in case I should not live to see you again, I shall die believing that you have kept your word.'
Tears filled the boy's eyes, and flinging his arms about the neck of his father, he kissed him, and again vowed to stand by the promises he had made.
With a close embrace father and son parted.
That afternoon the windlass was manned, and across the harbour floated the sea chanty: