My parents consented, and arrangements being completed, I was told to prepare for my new destination. Accordingly, I bade farewell to my old neighbours and friends at Stradbroke and Laxfield, and in the month of May, 1825, I started with George Pead, the carrier, to Halesworth, to meet my new master, and thence to continue my journey to Worlingham, my future residence. The day was fine, the country looking cheerful after the storms of winter, and our journey was accomplished in due course safely. I had now time to look around and reflect on my change. I did not feel very joyful at my new prospects; I felt that I was a “stranger in a strange land;” I thought of old associations, and that did not add to my comfort. However, amidst many discouragements, I thought that if I could learn my business, I could settle down in after life, and be able to obtain employment, and support those who might be in some measure dependent on me. My master was held to be a good tradesman, and appeared to have a good run of trade; but I soon found he indulged in habits of drinking to excess. There was no veneration for the Sabbath, and consequently no reverence for God’s commands. He also indulged in profane conversation, such as I had not hitherto been accustomed to; but I prayed for him. My mistress was a tender-hearted, godly, pious woman, and would often speak kindly to me when master was harsh, so that my sorrows were not greatly multiplied. Mr. Lenny came to see me at my new place (I had known that gentleman when he resided at Laxfield); he harassed my feelings; brought before my mind old associations, from whom I was severed. I felt completely broken down. I have no doubt that was the end he had in view. He afterwards tendered a few healing words of sympathy and kindness, and said that he would write to Laxfield, and let my friends there know how I was getting on, and that, if I continued with my master, and was obliging, he would give me a Christmas-box. After hearing these and other promises, I resigned myself to my new situation, and felt that I would do my best, and try to learn to work. After having been there a month, it was arranged that I should be bound, Mr. L. being sponsor. An indenture was prepared, and my own consent, and that of my parents, being obtained, I was bound as an indoor apprentice, to learn the art and mystery of a bootmaker, for the space of four years, thirty-one weeks, and four days. This seemed a long time to look forward, but I was beginning to feel more reconciled. I visited the customers with the master; had a good share of jobs to attend to, as well as errands, the diversity of waiting upon the master, the mistress, the children, the cow, the pony, and the pigs, and my odd hours were to be spent in the work shop, in learning to stitch pieces of leather together.