RUN AWAY FROM HOME. 159

lifted his hat off his head, and bore it into the
waves.
 "Never mind! you can't get it now," said the mate,
"and, any way, you'll have to wear a sou'wester; we
must rig you out in a jersey, too; this sort of toggery
will never do," he concluded, as he gave a disparaging
twitch to Jack's grey tweed suit.
 A tremendous clanging and withdrawal of chains
ensued, the sailors seeming to vie with each other,
as to which of them could yell "ay, ay" the
loudest, whilst they all rushed wildly about as if
demented.
 A loud shrill whistle was heard from one of the
chimneys of the steamer, her paddles began to beat
noisily, and in another moment the "Egeria" had
glided out of the harbour.
 The vessel had been in the open sea about half an
hour when Jack bethought him of inquiring to what
port she was bound. So he looked round for some
suitable person to ask, and noticed an old and kind-
looking sailor coiling some ropes.
 "Please, where is this steamer going to?" he
asked a little timidly.
 "Well, that is a good 'un," said the old sailor,
leaving off his work to gaze in astonishment at
Jack; "a chap comes aboard o' a boat, and don't
know where she's bound for!" and then highly