The monotony of the sea was appalling to a youth of his tastes, and the fact that the skipper, a man who never spoke except to find fault, was almost loquacious with him failed to afford him any satisfaction.

He liked the mates no better than the skipper, and having said as much one day to the second officer, had no reason afterwards to modify his opinions.

He lived a life apart, and except for the cook, another martyr to fault-finding, had no society.
In these uncongenial circumstances the new apprentice worked for four months as he had never believed it possible he could work.

He was annoyed both at the extent and the variety of his tasks, the work of an A.B.being gratuitously included in his curriculum.

The end of the voyage found him desperate, and after a hasty consultation with the cook they deserted together and went up-country.
Letters, dealing mainly with the ideas and adventures of the cook, reached Sunwich at irregular intervals, and were eagerly perused by Mrs.
Kingdom and Kate, but the captain forbade all mention of him.