MARTIN RATTLER. 29

no means new to him, and which recurred violently
every time he paid a visit to the small sea-port of
Bilton, which lay about five miles to the southward
of his native village. Moreover, Barney suggested
that it was time Martin should be doing for himself
(he was now ten years old), and said that if he would
join his ship he could get him a berth, for he was
much’ in want of an active lad to help him with the
coppers. But Martin Rattler sighed deeply, and said
that, although his heart was set upon going to sea, he
did not see how it was to be managed, for his aunt
would not let him go.

Before they separated, however, it was arranged
that Martin should pay the sailor's ship a visit, when
he would hear a good deal more about foreign lands;
and that, in the meantime, he should make another
attempt to induce Aunt Dorothy Grumbit to give her

consent to his going to sea.