The captain saved my life in that wreck, and it would only have been right that I should risk mine for him, if there was but a shadow of chance of its being of use.

But I know that, in a job of this sort, I could be of no good whatsomever, and should be getting you into trouble before we had gone a mile together." "I am sure that you would help, if you could, Ben; but, of course, you could be of no use." "And when do you think of being home again, lad ?" "There is no saying, Ben--it may be years.

But, however long it takes, I sha'n't give it up until I find out, for certain, what has become of my father." "And ain't there a chance of hearing how you are getting on, Dick?
I shall think of you and your mother, often and often, when I am on deck keeping my watch at night; and it will seem hard that I mayn't be able to hear, for years, as to what you are doing." "The only thing that I can do, Ben, will be to write if I get a chance of sending a messenger, or for my mother to write to you, to the office." "That is it.

You send a letter to Ben Birket, boatswain of the Madeira, care of East India Company, Leadenhall Street; and I shall get it, sooner or later.

Of course, I shall not expect a long yarn, but just two or three words to tell me how you are getting on, and whether you have got any news of your father.