140 Two waYs TO GO TO SEA:

‘One day, on the return voyage, when
Ben Halyard and Jack were at work in the
top, in a heavy rain storm, Jack’s fingers.
numb with wet and cold, and the chill wind
driving the rain into his face, he asked Ben
if this was a fair specimen of a sailor’s life, —
dull times at sea, and hard work in port.

“¢Yes, pretty fair,’ said Ben; ‘it is a
dog’s life.’

“‘ Well,’ said Jack, ‘one thing I know;
when I am captain, [’ll have things different.
I shall have my liberty then, and can do as
I’ve a mind to.’

“¢ Captain!’ said Ben, ‘you'll never be
captain.’

“¢¢-Yes, I shall,’ said Jack.

“¢ You!’ said Ben; ‘you don’t under-
stand navigation.’

“¢¢No, but I can learn.’

“Not unless you studied arithmetic
pretty well in school.’

“¢ Ayithmetic!’ said Jack, ‘I hate arith-
metic.’

“¢ Then you'll hate navigation, I can tell
you. You never will be captain. It takes
a good scholar to make a captain. You'll