A young man named Giddings, on hearing my name mentioned, regarded me with a degree of interest that surprised me.

After staring at me a few minutes, he inquired if I had not once lived in Rockingham county, New Hampshire.

On my replying in the affirmative, he introduced himself as an old schoolmate, a native of Exeter, from which, having chosen a sailor's life, he had been absent for years.
I rejoiced at finding a friend, and soon realized the truth of the good old proverb, "a friend in need is a friend indeed." Through his influence and representation the crew were disposed to look upon me in a favorable light.

He gave me the privilege of using his berth and his blankets during my watch below; he loaned me a monkey jacket in stormy weather, and shared with me his "small stores," of which he had a good supply.

More than all this, he encouraged me to keep a stout heart and "stiff upper lip," assuring me that all would come right in the end.