Read and family received a good share
of his thankfulness, especially the daughter, in whom Benjamin had
become quite interested.
Once on board the vessel, under way, Benjamin began to reflect upon
his novel experiences. It appeared to him somewhat like a dream. He
could hardly realize that he was on his way back to his home, by the
governor's patronage. He took out the governor's letter to his father
and read it. He found that it was very complimentary to himself, fully
as much so as he had expected; and the prospects of a new printing
house, under his care, were set forth strongly. He had scarcely
finished reading the letter, when the vessel struck on a shoal; for
they were not out of the bay yet. She sprung a leak, and there was
considerable excitement on board before the crew could remedy the
accident.
"A hard storm is near by," said the captain. "You will have a rough
passage this time, young man," addressing Benjamin.
"Well, I am used to it; I have encountered as many storms as any body
of my age," replied Benjamin figuratively, which the captain did not
quite understand.
"Then you have followed the sea, have you?"
"No; I have followed the land mostly; but there are hard storms on the
land, are there not?"
"Of course"; and the captain thought only of rain storms and snow
storms when he answered.
"All I meant was," added Benjamin by way of explanation, "that I have
had rather of a rough life so far; have seen a good deal of trouble
for one of my years; and have rather got accustomed to rough usage.
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