You wish me to procure you a situation in an East Indiaman as third or fourth mate.

I know nothing about the sea; I never saw it in my life; nor am I aware that I have a sailor in my acquaintance." "Then, uncle, I will take my leave." "Not so fast, young man; you said that you wanted my _assistance_ and my _advice_.

My assistance I cannot promise you for the reasons I have stated; but my advice is at your service.

Is it a legal point ?" "Not exactly, sir," replied Newton, who was mortified almost to tears; "still I must acknowledge that I now more than ever wish that the articles were in safe keeping, and out of my hands." Newton then entered into a detail of the trunk being picked up at sea; and stated his having brought with him the most valuable of the property, that it might be deposited in safe hands.
"Humph!" observed his uncle, when he had finished.

"You say that the articles are of value." "Those who are judges consider the diamonds and the other articles to be worth nearly one hundred pounds; I cannot pretend to say what their real value is." "And you have had these things in your possession these seven years ?" "I have, sir." "Did it never occur to you, since you have been in distress, that the sale of these articles would have assisted you ?" "It often has occurred to me, when I have found that the little I could earn was not sufficient for my father's support; but we had already decided that the property was not _legally mine_, and I dismissed the idea as soon as I could from my thoughts.