waterman was also recovering, although not able to leave his hammock.  The mate who had had the watch and had saved us, told me that the wherry was safe on board, and, as the ship was bound up the river, that we had better remain where we were.  I narrated our accident; and my clothes having been dried at the caboose, I dressed myself and went on deck.  My companion, the waterman, did not escape so well; his foot was frostbitten, and he lost four of his toes before he recovered.  It was singular that he, who was a man grown up, should suffer so much more than I did.  I cannot account for it, except that my habit of always being in the water had hardened me more to the cold.  We remained on board two days, during which we were treated with great kindness.

It was a fine bright morning, when, as the ship was passing the hospital, we shoved the wherry off, and landed at the steps; and when we jumped out we were greeted by all who were standing there.  We had very naturally been given up for lost.  They supposed that we had perished in the snowstorm.  Old Ben was among those who were standing at the steps, and he walked up with me toward my mother’s house.

“I did go to the old woman and break the matter to her in a becoming way, Jack,” said Ben; “but I can’t say that she appeared to take it much to heart, and that’s the truth.  Had it been little Jenny, she’d have cried her eyes out.”

I arrived at Fisher’s Alley, and the neighbors looked out; and as I nodded to them they cried, “Why, here’s Jack come back again.  Where have you been to, Jack?” This passing from mouth to mouth at last reached my mother’s ears; she looked out and saw me and old Ben close to the door.

“Here be your son, missus,” said Ben; “so you may thank God for His mercy.”

But my mother did not appear to be very thankful.  She turned round and went in.  I followed her, while Ben was standing at the door in amazement at her not flying to me and kissing me.  On the contrary she must have been angry at my return, for she commenced singing: 

     “Jack and Gill went up the hill
       To fetch a pail of water;
     Jack fell down and broke his crown,
       And Gill came tumbling after.”

And then she broke out:  “And where have you been, you good-for-nothing boy, all this time? putting me to all this useless expense that you have; all my money thrown away for nothing.”  I looked at the table and perceived that she had been making a black dress and bonnet, to put little Virginia into mourning; for she never let slip an opportunity to dress out my sister.

“Fifteen good shillings thrown away and lost, all by your coming back.  Your sister would have looked so beautiful and interesting in it.  Poor child! and now she will be disappointed.  Never mind, my darling, you may have to wear them soon yet, if he goes on this way.”

Virginia did not seem to mind it at all; she was kissing and patting me, and was delighted to see me again.  But my mother took her by the hand, and catching up the half-made dress and bonnet in her other, walked away upstairs to her room, singing: