"I know what you are, and you are older than your sixteen years make you.

It was at your age that Charles XII.

took command of the armies of Sweden, and he was more than a figure-head in his forces." "Sometimes I feel older than I am," suggested the boy.
"I believe in keeping a boy young as long as possible, and I have never hurried you by putting you in an important place, though at one time I thought of having a third officer, and assigning you to the position, for the practice it would give you in real life; but I concluded that you had better not be driven forward." "I think I know something about handling a steamer, father." "I know you do; though I have never told you so, for I did not care to have you think too much of yourself.

Now, in common with all the rest of us, you are hurled into the presence of mighty events; and in a single day from a boy you must become a man.

You are my nearest representative on board; and if any thing should happen to me, in the midst of the perils of this expedition, a responsibility would fall upon you which you cannot understand now.