I laughed at Reuben's notion; for, knowing him as I did, I saw that he was utterly unfit for the sort of life he proposed to lead, and would be heartily sick of it before long.  He had a fertile imagination, and had pictured a trapper's life as something very delightful, although I was sure he would in reality hate it.  And I believe that is the case with many other boys,--especially with those who take it into their head to go to sea, and who have never been on board a ship, and know nothing whatever of sea-life.