His yarns about the sea, and
the adventures he had met and dangers encountered, fired me with a
mania to follow a similar career. The constant reading by stealth
of pernicious books, of which smugglers and pirates were the
heroes, stimulated the desire, and undermined the principle in
which I had been educated; until, at length, when you informed me
that I was to study under Mr. Vickers for the law, I determined to
run away from school and seek my living by adventure. James
Williams fostered the resolve, and often urged me to it; but my
great difficulty was how to obtain money. By an accidental
circumstance, Howard Pemberton became aware of my passion for the
sea, and he upbraided me about it, kindly and honestly, but I could
not brook it; my old friendship with him ceased, and I grew to hate
him.
About this time, the reception was given at Dr. Brier's of which
you have heard. But you have not heard, and never can know, what
that evening was to me. Satan seemed to have entered into me as he
did into Judas.
I took the miniature and snuff-box from the cabinet in which they
were placed by Mrs. Brier, and resolved to cast the suspicion of
the theft upon Howard.
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