He encouraged a generous spirit of emulation between the boy and girl, who could never in any one acquirement be quite equal; for Julius possessed the greater physical power, and Barbara the quicker intellect; therefore Julius excelled in the _practice_, and Barbara in the _theory_ of working the ship. But the old skipper was not content that this should remain just so—and in giving his lessons he stimulated the mind of the boy to a greater activity; and in directing the firm little hand of the girl, he encouraged her to lay out her full strength upon the ropes. This constant companionship of the youth and maiden was likely to result in one of two things—mutual dislike or mutual affection—it eventuated in the latter. Their ship was bound to London. And on arriving at that port, Julius cast about in his mind the problem—how to invest his precious guinea to such advantage as finally to turn it into two guineas—for to double his money in every speculation was with the sanguine lad a fundamental principle of financiering. An accident assisted him—accident _always_ assists those who are sufficiently in earnest. One day, in strolling along the narrow streets of Liverpool, he came to an auction where the goods of a dealer in Sheffield cutlery were in process of sale. He stood awhile and watched the bidding, and then with his five dollars bought about twenty dollars’ worth of morocco cases, each containing steel scissors, tweezers, penknife, bodkin, needlecase, thimble, netting and tatting shuttle, knitting-needles, and, in short, every possibly needful accessory of a lady’s work-box. Having secured his prize, he took it on board the ship, where he concealed it until he got an opportunity of sewing it up in his mattress—for Julius had not the slightest intention of permitting the custom-house to share his profits. On reaching Baltimore, these twenty cases, worth in England a dollar a piece, were easily retailed by the boy for two dollars. So that, in his very first venture, from an investment of five dollars he had cleared thirty-five, or seven hundred per cent.! Why, the thought almost took his breath! At this rate he should speedily make a fortune. But Julius had to learn that, with all its advantages, commerce is a very uncertain vocation—that its great gains are often counter-balanced by as great losses. His next venture was not quite so lucky. This first voyage of Julius was also the last one which Barbara accompanied her father. Her mother’s declining health and subsequent death rendered it necessary that this eldest child should remain at home to take charge of the younger ones. But Julius went to the West Indies with the skipper, and from that time accompanied him on all his voyages, and in a few years rose from the position of cabin-boy to that of mate. His home on shore was always at the Headland, where Barbara received him with a sister’s warm affection.