A lady in deep mourning was sitting, crying bitterly, by a fire in small lodgings in the town of Yarmouth.

Beside her stood a tall lad of sixteen.

He was slight in build, but his schoolfellows knew that Charlie Marryat's muscles were as firm and hard as those of any boy in the school.

In all sports requiring activity and endurance, rather than weight and strength, he was always conspicuous.

Not one in the school could compete with him in long-distance running, and when he was one of the hares there was but little chance for the hounds.