"No, Will, it is true. It's a vow I made, and it's my way not to go back of things. When I looked at mother, and see'd the way father treated her, I made up my mind never to wed with none. I'll be no man's mate, and I'll trust myself to none. Good-night, Will, You mean it kindly; and I'd like to ask God, if I was sure that He was there at all, to bless you. Good-night, goodnight." CHAPTER V. As Will Scarlett walked home to the small room which he occupied, not very far from his cousin Hester Wright, he was overtaken by a young sailor of about his own age, who linked his arm in his and spoke to him in a half-tipsy, half-jocular voice. "You was going to give me the slip, Will. And where be you off to at this hour of night?" "To bed, and to sleep," said Will, shortly. He was in no mood for his companion's idle chatter, and resented the firm grip he had taken of his arm. "Then it ain't true what I heard," said Isaac Dent. "You're down on your luck, and a bit crusty; and you wouldn't be that ef the news were true." "What news?" said Will "I'm tired, and that's the truth, Dent. I want to turn in early; for most like I'll be on the briny ocean this time to-morrow." "Then you are going in the 'Good Queen Anne.' Never knew such a fellow! The best ship in the docks, and you to get a berth in her. I wouldn't be crusty to a less lucky mate if I was in your shoes." Will sighed. They had come in front of a brilliantly-lighted public-house, and a flood of gaslight lit up both faces. For a sailor Will was tall, slenderly built, with dark clustering curling hair, and very bright, very honest blue eyes. His companion was short and thick-set--he had a flat head, large ears set rather higher up, and small cunning eyes. He was not pleasant-looking, and Will, although one of the most unsuspicious of mortals, regarded him with small favor. "Come in, and have a parting drink for good luck," said Dent, pointing to the gaily-lit public house. Will shook his hand from his arm. "You know my mind on that point," he said. "We took a voyage together, so we needn't talk it all out now. Good-night, Dent, I'm off to bed." But Dent had no idea of letting Will off so easy. "Look here," he said--"what shall I pay you for that berth of your'n? It ain't nothing to the cap'n who sails with him, and I wants to get away. What will you take?" Will felt his face flushing; then he laughed indignantly. "What folly you talk, Dent. Even suppose I were willing, you haven't sixpence--you know you haven't." "May I go home with you?" said Dent, "and I'll show you what I have. I'm in real earnest--I want to get away, and I can pay for it. The 'Good Queen Anne' is quite to my mind--time for sailing, length of voyage--all just what I wants. I'll give you ten pound if you'll drop that berth of yours in my favor. There--I can't speak fairer than that."