Now it so happened that the edge of the forest where James' work lay overlooked the blue waters of Lake Erie. With stories from "The Pirate's Own Book" still haunting his brain, it was not strange that he often stopped in his work to count the sail, and watch the changing color of the beautiful waters. By and by he noticed that the old German by his side, who seemed to wield his axe so slowly, was getting ahead of him in the amount of work accomplished. He began to realize that he was wasting a deal of time by these "sea dreams," and resolutely turned his back upon the fascinating waters. It was not so easy, however, to drive out of his mind the bewitching sea-faring tales he had read; and when those hundred cords of wood were cut, he returned home with the old longing to be a sailor only intensified. He said nothing, for he did not wish to grieve his mother, and as it was now the last week in June he hired himself out to a farmer for the summer months, to help in haying and harvesting. James was now a strong, muscular boy in his teens. He possessed, naturally, a fine constitution, and his simple life and vigorous exercise in the open air had greatly enhanced his powers of endurance. Whatever he undertook he was determined to carry through successfully. His strong, indomitable will conquered every difficulty, while his stern integrity was a constant safeguard. CHAPTER IV. James still longs for the Sea.--Experience with a Drunken Captain.--Change of Base.--Life on the Canal. James went on with his work at home, attending school in the winter, reading whatever books he could find, and taking odd jobs in carpentry to add to the family income. His heart, however, was still on the sea. At last he said to his mother: "If I should be _captain_ of a ship some day, you wouldn't mind that, would you?" Now Mrs. Garfield, like a wise mother, had been studying her restless boy and was not unprepared for this returning desire on his part "to follow the sea." "You might try a trip on Lake Erie," she replied, "and see how you like it; but if you want to be 'somebody,' as you say, I would look higher than to a sea-captain's position." James hardly heard his mother's last words, so delighted was he to have this unexpected permission. He packed up his things as quickly as possible and walked the whole distance to Cleveland. Boarding the first schooner he found lying at the wharf, he asked one of the crew if there was any chance for another hand on board. "If you can wait a little," was the answer, "the captain will soon be up from the hold." James had a very exalted idea of this important personage; he expected to see a fine, noble-looking man such as he had read about in his books. Suddenly, he heard a fearful noise below, followed by terrible oaths. Stepping aside to let the drunken man pass him, he was greeted by the gruff question,-- "What d'yer want here, yer green land-lubber, yer?"