He had also spent his evenings reading the works of celebrated navigators and travellers; and these very naturally increased his curiosity to know more of the world and see the things they had seen.

He had also looked out through the Narrows of New York harbor, and his young heart had yearned to be on the broad ocean beyond.

If he could only master all the mysteries of Bowditch, be a skilful navigator, and capable of sailing a ship to any part of the world, and see strange things and people--that day might come, he thought to himself.

He had listened, too, for hours at a time, to the stories of old sailors who had come on board the sloop while in port.

One had been to India, and another to Ceylon; and both told wonderful stories concerning the voyages they had made and the people they had met.