It interested him to hear of this boy studying navigation without a tutor up among the fens.

"Send for him," said Pasley, "I should like to see what stuff he is made of, and whether he is worth making into a sailor." Young Matthew, then in his fifteenth year, was accordingly invited to visit the Pasleys.

In the later part of his life he used to relate with merriment, how he went, was asked to dine, and then pressed to stay till next day under the captain's roof.

He had brought no night attire with him, not having expected to sleep at the house.

When he was shown into his bedroom, his needs had apparently been anticipated; for there, folded up neatly upon the pillow, was a sleeping garment ready for use.