At the age of fourteen his only son, Jack, decided to go to sea.

“It has occurred to me, father,” he said, “that although the whole earth has been so nefariously divided among the few, the waters at least are the property of all.  No man claims his share of the sea; everyone may there plough as he pleases without being taken up for a trespasser.  It is, then, only upon the ocean that I am likely to find that equality and rights of man which we are so anxious to establish on shore; and therefore I have resolved not to go to school again, which I detest, but to go to sea.”

“I cannot listen to that, Jack.  You must return to school.”

“All I have to say is, father, that I swear by the rights of man I will not go back to school, and that I will go to sea.  Was I not born my own master?  Has anyone a right to dictate to me as if I were not his equal?”

Mr. Easy had nothing to reply.

“I will write to Captain Wilson,” he said mournfully.

Captain Wilson, who was under considerable obligations to Mr. Easy, wrote in reply promising that he would treat Jack as his own son, and our hero very soon found his way down to Portsmouth.

As Jack had plenty of money, and was very much pleased at finding himself his own master, he was in no hurry to join his ship, and five or six companions whom he had picked up strongly advised him to put it off until the very last moment.  So he was three weeks at Portsmouth before anyone knew of his arrival.

At last, Captain Wilson, receiving a note from Mr. Easy, desired Mr. Sawbridge, the first lieutenant, to make inquiries; and Mr. Sawbridge, going on shore, and being informed by the waiter at the Fountain Inn that Mr. Easy had been there three weeks, was justly indignant.

Mr. Sawbridge was a good officer, who had really worked his way up to the present rank—­that is, he had served seven-and-twenty years, and had nothing but his pay.  He was a good-hearted man; but when he entered Jack’s room, and saw the dinner-table laid out in the best style for eight, his bile was raised by the display.

“May I beg to ask,” said Jack, who was always remarkably polite in his address, “in what manner I may be of service to you?”

“Yes sir, you may—­by joining your ship immediately.”

Hereupon, Jack, who did not admire the peremptory tone of Mr. Sawbridge, very coolly replied.  “And, pray, who are you?”

“Who am I, sir?  My name is Sawbridge, sir, and I am the first lieutenant of the Harpy.  Now, sir, you have your answer.”

Mr. Sawbridge was not in uniform, but he imagined the name of the first lieutenant would strike terror to a culprit midshipman.

“Really, sir,” replied Jack.  “What may be your exact situation on board?  My ignorance of the service will not allow me to guess; but if I may judge from your behaviour, you have no small opinion of yourself.”

“Look ye, young man, you may not know what a first lieutenant is; but, depend upon it, I’ll let you know very soon!  In the meantime, sir, I insist that you go immediately on board.”