"
"Before the mast, were you? Then I suppose you have been getting into
some scrape at home, young sir, and run away; for, from your
appearance, you would hardly have been before the mast otherwise. Boys
never know what is good for them. But I suppose after your experience
you will be inclined to put up with any disagreeables you may have at
home rather than try running away again?"
"You are mistaken!" Ralph said with a laugh. "I did not run away. I
was run away with!"
"Kidnapped!" the gentleman said in surprise. "I know that merchantmen
have often difficulty in getting hands owing to the need of men for
the navy, but I did not know that they had taken to press-gangs on
their own account."
"No, I don't know that they have come to that," Ralph replied. "The
fact is, sir, I was out fishing a few miles off Dover, when the smack
I was in was run down in the dark by a French privateer. I was hauled
on board, and as she was bound for the West Indies I had to make the
voyage whether I liked it or not."
"How long ago is it that you were run down?"
"About five months," Ralph replied.
"Why, you are not the son of Mrs. Conway of Dover, are you?"
"Yes, I am, sir. Do you know her, and can you tell me how she is?"
Ralph asked eagerly.
"I believe that she is well, although of course she must have suffered
very greatly at your disappearance.
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