122 TWO WAYS TO GO TO SEA:

play, when he had just been particularly
diligent in his studies ; and so, whenever he
was going off on any expedition in the af-
ternoon, he always prepared himself to have
a good time by studying very hard in the
forenoon.

“ About an hour after dinner, they went
down to the wharf, and borrowed a little boat.
Each took an oar, and they rowed off to the
brig. As they passed along, John saw the
word ‘ Amira’ painted upon her stern.

“The boys went aboard, and had a fine
time looking over the brig and talking with
the sailors. Ben Halyard was splicing @
rope, and they sat down and saw him do it.
They both thought it was very curious.
Then they went up to the mast head, where
they had a fine look-out from the ‘top.’
They could see away out to sea, where
vessels were sailing to and fro.

“¢What a pleasant place this is 1? said
Jack.

«“¢Very pleasant now,’ said John; ‘but I
think it would not be very pleasant working
here, an hour, taking in sail, in a north-
east snow storm.’

««] should like to go to sea,’ said Jack.