Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England

The Three Lieutenants, Life in the Royal Navy in the 1860s, by W.H.G.
Kingston.

This is the second in Kingston's tetralogy that begins with The Three
Midshipmen, and ends with The Three Admirals.  These books were among
the first written by Kingston, and were published serially in weekly
magazines.  Kingston's reputation was made by these books, that first
appeared about 1860, and dealt with an officer's life in the Navy at
about that time.

By an extraordinary co-incidence, the three young men who had met as
midshipmen, get postings that enable them to keep their friendships live
when they are lieutenants.  Another old friend is Admiral Triton, who,
though retired, takes a great an interest in the careers of the young
men.

This is actually quite a long book, but it is full of adventures, and
you will love it.

THE THREE LIEUTENANTS, LIFE IN THE ROYAL NAVY IN THE 1860s, BY W.H.G.
KINGSTON.

CHAPTER ONE.

LIEUTENANT JACK ROGERS AT HOME--HIS BROTHER TOM RESOLVES TO FOLLOW IN
HIS WAKE--HIS OLD SHIPMATES DISCUSSED--LETTER FROM TERENCE ADAIR
DESCRIPTIVE OF HIS FAMILY--ADMIRAL TRITON PLEADS TOM'S CAUSE--THE
ADMIRAL'S ADVICE TO TOM--LEAVING HOME.

"Really, Jack, that uniform is excessively becoming.  Do oblige us by
standing up as if you were on the quarter-deck of your ship and hailing
the main-top.  I do not remember ever having seen a naval officer above
the rank of a midshipman in uniform before.  Do you, Lucy?"

"Only once, at a Twelfth-night party at Foxica, to which you did not go,
when Lady Darlington persuaded Admiral Triton to rig himself out, as he
called it, for our amusement, in a naval suit of the time of Benbow,
belonging to her great-grandfather.  I prefer Jack in his uniform, I
own, and he looks infinitely better in it than he does in top-boots and
a hunting-coat, when he is eclipsed by many of the young farmers who
have not two ideas to string together."

These remarks were made in the presence of Jack Rogers by his young and
pretty sisters, Mary and Lucy, soon after his return home from China, on
his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant, when one morning he entered the
breakfast-room, dressed in a bran-new uniform, which, with inward
satisfaction, he had put on at their request, that he might exhibit it
to them.  It set off to advantage his manly, well-knit figure, at which
no one could look without seeing that he must possess ample strength of
limb and muscle.  An honest, kind heart beamed through a somewhat broad,
very sun-burnt countenance.  His features were good, though, and his
head was well set on a wide pair of shoulders, which made him look
shorter than he really was, not that he could boast of being a man of
inches.  Take him for all in all, Jack Rogers was a thoroughly good
specimen of the British naval officer.  Of course his sisters admired
him--what sisters would not?--but their admiration was surpassed by that
of his youngest brother, Tom, who was firmly of opinion that there never
had been and never could be anybody like him; yet Tom was Jack in
miniature, and the portrait of Jack, taken just before he went to sea,
was frequently supposed to be that of Tom.  At school (Tom went to Eagle
House, which, though old Rowley had retired to enjoy a well-earned
"otium cum dignitate" in his native Cumberland, still kept up its
ancient character under an able master) his great delight was to talk of
the sayings and doings of "my brother Jack," and to read extracts from
the accounts of the latter, which from time to time came home.  Tom's
schoolfellows knew almost as much about Jack's adventures as those who,
in subsequent years, read them in print, and they all agreed that he
must be a first-rate chap.

"I should think so, indeed," said Tom, in a tone of confidence.  "If you
were just to see him once you'd say I am right, and my great wonder is,
that the Lords of the Admiralty don't make him a post-captain right off
at once.  They couldn't help themselves if they knew him as well as I
do."

Thus admiring Jack, it was natural that Tom should have resolved to
follow in his footsteps.  His whole heart was set upon being a sailor,
and going some day to sea with Jack.  He did not talk much about his
intentions; that was not his way, except, perhaps, to one or two very
intimate friends; but he had confided his hopes and wishes to Admiral
Triton, who had promised to forward them.

"You can't choose a better profession, and I'll see about it when the
time comes," answered the Admiral.  "Not that the service is what it
was, but I never hold with those who swear that it's going to ruin, and
I shall have no fear on that score as long as there are plenty of fine
young fellows in it, like your brother Jack and his friends Murray and
Adair and scores of others, and such as you'll turn out, Tom, I'm sure.
No, no.  I've a notion, however, that we should have been much the
better if those abominable, smoky tea-kettles of affairs introduced of
late years had never been thought of, but one comfort is, that they
never can be of the slightest possible use as men-of-war, though they
may serve to tow ships into action when forts are to be attacked and
such-like work.  Never do you get appointed to one if you can help it,
Tom.  They'll spoil our sailors as sailors if they do nothing else."

This was said before the _Nemesis_ in China, and other steamers had done
good service, which even seamen of the old school could not disparage.

Of course Tom regarded steamers with the utmost contempt, and never
spoke of them without quoting the remarks of Admiral Triton, who,
however, in the course of time, learnt to modify his opinions.

Tom, who had come home for the holidays with secret hopes of not having
to return to Eagle House, sat proudly smiling his assent to their
sisters' remarks on Jack, stopping for awhile from the vigorous attack
on a plate of ham and eggs, which he had before been making.  Jack, who
had taken a chair at the table, asked quietly,--"do you really wish to
hear me hail the main-top?"  Mary nodded.

Tom's eyes twinkled, his countenance beamed all over with delight.

Jack got up, planted his feet firmly on the floor, and put his hand to
his mouth as if about to hail.

"I had better not," he said, laughing, "lest I frighten the household
out of their propriety.  They will think that some wild bull has got
into the breakfast-room."

"Oh, never mind that; we want to hear how you do speak on board ship,"
said Lucy; "just a few words, you know."

"As you like it," said Jack, and then, putting his hand to his mouth, he
shouted simply, "Maintop there!"

The sound made his sisters jump from their chairs.  Tom clapped his
hands with delight, and laughed till the tears rolled down his cheeks.
In rushed the butler and footman and two housemaids, with dusters in
their hands, to ascertain what was the matter.  Sir John came hurrying
in from the garden with a look of astonishment on his countenance, and
her ladyship's own maid was sent down to know if anything had happened.

"I told you so," said Jack to his sisters.  "I was only speaking as we
do sometimes at sea," he added, turning to the servants, the female
portion of whom lingered to take an admiring look at their young master.

Sir John gazed with a father's pride at his manly son, and then looked
at Tom, about whom he had the evening before received a letter from
Admiral Triton, saying that if the boy still wished to go into the Navy,
he should have great pleasure in getting him forthwith appointed to a
ship.

"If the service turns him out as fine a fellow as his brother, I shall
not regret should he choose it," thought the baronet.  "I'll talk to him
and Jack about the matter by-and-by, and ascertain the real bent of the
boy's inclinations."  Had Tom known what was passing in his father's
mind he would speedily have decided the question.

The whole party were soon assembled at breakfast--that pleasantest and
most sociable of meals in an English country-house.  Besides the members
of the family already introduced, there was Lady Rogers--fair, comely,
gentle-mannered--and kind-hearted--Paul the eldest son, studying the law
that he might take the better care of his paternal estates; and, lastly,
Sidney, a captain in the Guards, at home on leave.  Then there were
several guests, county neighbours, who had come for a couple of nights,
a brother officer of Sidney's and a school-fellow of Lucy's.  Jack cast
an appreciating glance over the breakfast-table, with its plates of
attractive little rolls, its racks of thin, crisp toast, its small pats
of butter, swimming amid ice in elegantly-designed bowls of crystal, its
eggs under snow-white napkins, its covered dishes containing muffins or
sausages or other minute delicacies, its hissing urn and cream and milk
jugs, and tea set at one end, and its coffee set at the other, presided
over by two sweet-looking girls; and then he smilingly looked over his
shoulder at the side-board, on which, among various comestibles,
appeared a round of beef, another of brawn, a huge ham, and a
venison-pasty.

Who that has been long a wanderer from home has not gone back in memory
to such a scene as now greeted Jack's eyes, especially when hunger has
been gnawing or provender coarse?  Jack often had, and though he had
never grumbled at privations or hardships, he was, notwithstanding, all
the more ready to do ample justice to the viands spread out before him.
He showed this when, after having helped several of the party from the
side-board, he returned with his own well-loaded plate to the table.
The guardsman watched him with astonishment, and even his brother, the
barrister, thought that Jack had got an enormous appetite.  Jack, who
was hungry, saw no reason why he should not eat till he was satisfied,
and had laid in a store of food to last him till the seven o'clock
dinner, for luncheon he eschewed as effeminate and an unnecessary
interruption to the business of the day.

Before breakfast was concluded the post-bag was brought in, opened by
Sir John, and its contents distributed.  An official-looking letter,
addressed to Jack, attracted universal attention.

"Who is it from?" asked Mary anxiously.

"About your prize-money, Jack?" inquired his mother.  "You are not yet
again appointed to a ship, I hope, my dear boy?"

"I am, though!" exclaimed Jack exultingly, for the moment not thinking
of his mother's feeling, "and second of a fine new thirty-six gun
frigate the _Plantagenet_, commanded by my old friend Hemming.  Couldn't
wish for anything better.  Where there's work to be done he is sure to
be sent."

"But you will not have to go away at once, dear Jack, I trust," cried
Lucy, who loved her sailor brother dearly.

Tom said nothing, and it might have been difficult to decide whether he
was about to cry or laugh.  He evidently felt as much interested in the
announcement as Jack himself.

"Faith, they do work you hard," observed his guardsman brother.  "If the
purchase-system was allowed in your service I suspect that buyers would
be rare."

"I am very glad it doesn't; for now, if a hardworking fellow gets his
foot on the ratlines he has a chance of climbing upwards," answered
Jack.  "However, as the _Plantagenet_ has only just been commissioned, I
shall be able to enjoy the civilising influences of home for a short
time longer.  In truth, I am almost ashamed at being pleased with the
thoughts of going off again to sea; but after having knocked about all
one's life as a midshipman it is satisfactory to feel that one is an
officer in reality, with a cabin of one's own."

"Of course, my boy; much more natural than to wish to be dangling after
your sisters, or any other of the petticoat tribe who might take it into
their heads to patronise you," said Sir John, glancing with all a
father's pride at his gallant son.  "To what station are you to be
sent?"

"As far as I can discover, that remains as yet in the mysterious depths
of my Lords Commissioners' minds," answered Jack, glancing over some
other letters.  "Hemming has an idea that it may be to the West Indies;
at least such is the opinion of the Portsmouth tailors, who have
generally more correct information on these matters than any one else.
Just now, when the world is so peaceably disposed, it is not of much
consequence where we go; and as I have never been in those seas I would
rather be sent there than anywhere else."

"I trust that it will not be to the West Indies, my dear boy," said Lady
Rogers.  "I have read such sad accounts of the dreadful yellow fever
which kills so many people, and of those terrible hurricanes which send
so many ships to the bottom, and devastate whole islands whenever they
appear, that I tremble at the thoughts of your going there."

"Pray don't let such an idea trouble you, mother," answered Jack; "the
yellow fever only comes once in a way, and hurricanes appear even less
frequently; so that we may hope to escape both one and the other, even
if we do go there.  I have no wish, however, to leave home in a hurry,
and should be glad to remain long enough to receive Murray and Adair,
whom I invited to come here, but I am afraid when they hear of my
appointment that they will write to put off their visit till another
time, which may never arrive.  It is not likely that we shall be at home
together again.  They are capital fellows.  You remember them, Lucy,
when we were all on shore after our first trip to sea, and they came to
call on us in London, and afterwards Adair went down with us for a few
days into the country."

"Yes, indeed.  Mr Adair, I suppose I must now call him, was, I
remember, a terrible pickle; while Mr Murray appeared to be a
wonderfully sedate, taciturn young Scotchman, a pattern of correctness
and propriety," said Lucy.

"Maybe, but as noble and brave a fellow as ever breathed!" exclaimed
Jack warmly.  "I should like to know what opinion you would form of him
now.  I must write by to-day's post, and beg him to put off other
engagements if he can, and come to us at once."

"And that terrible pickle, as Lucy calls him, your Irish friend, Mr
Adair, are we to have the honour of renewing our acquaintance with him
before you go away?" asked Mary.  "I must protest against having him
here unless you are present to restrain his exuberant spirits, and the
various eccentricities in which he may take it into his head to
indulge."

"Oh, Paddy Adair is as gentle as a pet lamb if you only manage him
properly," answered Jack, laughing.  "Those various eccentricities are
merely his little frolicsome ways, which can be restrained by silken
cords.  There isn't a quieter fellow breathing in the society of
grown-up young ladies, such as you now are.  Remember, you were school
girls when you saw him last, and he possibly did not think it necessary
to treat you with the respect he now would."

"He must indeed be much altered then," observed Lucy.  "He had then a
curious fancy for standing on his head, jumping out of windows, and
climbing in at them too, dressing up the dogs and cats in costume,
letting off squibs under horses' noses, putting gunpowder into candles,
etcetera, while his tongue kept up a continued rattle from morning till
night."

"Avast there, sister," cried Jack, interrupting her; "I beg your pardon;
you have made me speak like a sailor on the stage.  I assure you that
Paddy would not dream of committing any of the atrocities you enumerate;
on the contrary, if you ask him what is the chief drawback to his
pleasure in society he will tell you that it is an overpowering
bashfulness, which prevents him from expressing himself with the fluency
he desires, and that his great wish when mixing in society is to receive
sympathy and gentle encouragement to enable him to feel at his ease."

"From what I recollect of your friend, Mr Adair, I should have thought
it difficult to find a young man more at his ease in any society into
which he may be thrown," observed Lady Rogers, who was somewhat matter
of fact; "I beg therefore, my dear Jack, that you will not persuade your
sisters to give him any of that sympathy and gentle encouragement he
wishes for, or I do not know where he will stop short."

"Depend on me, mother, I will be as discreet as a judge," said Jack, who
had thus succeeded as he desired in turning the thoughts of Lady Rogers
and his sisters from the yellow fever and hurricanes of the West Indies,
and the conversation for the remainder of breakfast-time became general.

He wrote immediately to his two old messmates, begging them to come at
once, and telling them of his appointment to the _Plantagenet_.  Much to
his regret, and possibly to that of his sisters, who were curious to see
into what sort of persons the young midshipmen had grown, they could
neither of them immediately avail themselves of his invitation.  They
congratulated him on his good luck, and said that as their friends were
exerting their interest to get them afloat it was possible that they
might ere long meet again, though as they were of the same standing in
the service they could not hope all to be appointed to one ship.  Alick
Murray wrote from Scotland.  He had taken under his wing a young orphan
cousin, Archy Gordon, who longed to go to sea.  Alick said that his
great wish was to have the lad with him, should he get a ship, "if not,"
he added, "I shall be thoroughly satisfied to have him with either you
or Adair, as I am sure that you will both stand his friend in case of
need, and keep an eye on him at all times."

"Of course I will," said Jack to himself.  "Murray's friends must always
be my friends, and those he cares for I must care for; however, I hope
that he will not be allowed to rust long on shore; little chance of it
when once he has made himself known."

Adair was in Ireland.  "Things are not quite so bad as I expected to
find them in the halls of my ancestors," he wrote.  "Although the estate
with its thousands of acres of forest and bog was knocked down as I told
you, the old castle of Ballymacree, with a few dirty acres surrounding
it, was bought back again, and still serves as a residence for my father
and mother, and the best part of a score of my brothers and sisters, and
the wives and husbands and children of the elder ones--a pretty large
party we make, you may fancy.  I felt myself quite lost at first among
them all, and the noise and confusion which prevailed after the quiet
and regularity of a man-of-war quite confounded me; however, I have got
accustomed to it now, and can join heartily in the fun and frolic which
goes on from morning till night, and considering my bashful and retiring
disposition, this will show you that I feel myself at home and perfectly
happy."

"I said so," exclaimed Jack triumphantly, showing the letter to his
sisters; "I told you what a quiet, sedate fellow Terence has become, and
here is proof of it.  Let us see what more he says."  Jack read on:--

  "I confess, however, that the sooner I am away and afloat again, the
  better for the rest of the family.  How they all manage to exist is to
  me a puzzle.  To be sure there are fish in the streams and
  neighbouring lakes, and game in abundance, which we retain the right
  of shooting; and sheep on the hills, which, as my father does not
  attempt any new-fangled plans for improving the condition of the
  people, are allowed to exist; and there are praties in the fields, and
  fruit and vegetables in the garden; but there is a scarcity of flour
  and groceries, and instead of the claret which, in the good old days,
  flowed freely at table, we are reduced to drink whisky, of which the
  excise has not always had an opportunity of taking due cognisance.  My
  father does not quite see the matter in the light I do, and was
  inclined to be offended when I ordered down a cask of the cratur from
  Dublin, as a salve to my conscience, and a few dozen of claret, as a
  remembrance of days gone by; but as the latter went in about as many
  evenings, we shall have to stick to the whisky in future.  However, if
  the house holds together till the _Plantagenet_ is paid off, I can
  promise you plenty of amusement of one sort or another, and the
  enjoyment of magnificent scenery, if you, my dear Jack, will pay a
  visit to Ballymacree.  You may depend, too, on as hearty a welcome as
  I am sure I should have received by your family had I been able to
  avail myself of your invitation.  To be sure we muster somewhat
  stronger than you do, I suspect, and, might possibly exhibit, what
  with your sedate English ideas you would consider an exuberance of
  spirits, and I am almost afraid that you would think my five fair
  young sisters rather hoydenish young ladies, compared to your own.
  One of them, Kathleen, is looking over my shoulder and exclaims,
  `Arrah, now Terence, don't be after saying that same, or Leeftenant
  Rogers will be thinking us a set of wild Irish girls, with no more
  civilisation than a family of gipsies;' but I tell her I won't scratch
  out what I have written, but I'll add that she's not the ugliest of
  the lot; so, dear Jack, when you do come, you can form your own
  opinion; I only wish that I had the chance of making some prize-money
  for their sakes.  By-the-bye, the eldest of them, Nora, who, at
  sixteen, married Gerald Desmond, has got a son called after his
  father, who has taken it into his head to go to sea, and as nothing I
  can say will make him alter his mind, I suppose he must have his way.
  I have written to our cousin, Lord Derrynane, and asked him to try and
  get Gerald appointed to the _Plantagenet_, as I should like him to be
  under Hemming and you.  He is a `broth of a boy,' as we say here, and
  I know for my sake, Jack, that you will look after him.  They say that
  he is very like me, which won't be in his disfavour in your eyes--
  though I don't think I ever was such a wild youngster as he is; not
  that there's a grain of harm in him.  Mind that, and he'll soon get
  tamed down in the navy.  I don't think I ever wrote so long a letter
  in my life, and so as it's high time to bring it to an end, farewell,
  Jack, till we meet, and may that be soon, is the sincere wish of,

  "Yours ever faithful and true,

  "TERENCE ADAIR."

"Of course I will look after his nephew, as I would my own brother.
I'll write and tell him so, though he knows it," exclaimed Jack; "and
now, Lucy, what do you think of my old shipmate?"

"I cannot exactly say that I admire the style of his epistle, but I have
no doubt that he is as kind-hearted and brave as you describe him,"
answered Lucy.

"I don't mean to say that he is much of a letter-writer," said Jack;
"but at all events he writes as he feels and speaks, in the belief that
no eye but mine would read what he had written.  His mind is like a
glass--it can be seen through at a glance; and he has no idea of
concealing a single thought from those he trusts, though he is close
enough with the world in general; and I can tell you that he is as true
as steel, and as brave and high-spirited as he is kind-hearted and
generous."

"A perfect hero of romance," observed Lucy, laughing; "I am really sorry
that he is not coming here to enable us to judge of him fairly."

Possibly Lucy thought more about Lieutenant Adair than she chose to
acknowledge.  She could not, however, help reflecting that her mamma
would look upon an Irish half-pay naval lieutenant, with a host of
penniless brothers and sisters, in no very favourable light, should he
come in the character of a suitor, so that after all it was just as well
he could not accept Jack's invitation.

Jack made the most of his time while he remained at Halliburton Hall,
winning the good-will of everybody in the neighbourhood.  He laughed and
talked and danced with the fairer portion in the most impartial manner;
young and old, pretty and plain, all came in for a due share of his
attentions.  His sisters were quite vexed with him for not falling in
love with one of three or four of their especial friends.  They had a
preference for a Julia Giffard; but should Jack fail to lose his heart
to Julia, or Julia decline bestowing hers on him, there were at least
three others of almost equal attractions and perfections, either of whom
they could love as a sister-in-law; and it would be so delightful, while
Jack was away, to have some one to whom they might talk about him, and
to whom he would write such delightful letters which they, of course,
would have the privilege of reading.

Then, some day, when he was a commander or post-captain, he would come
home, and marry, and settle down in a pretty little cottage near them,
and take to gardening, as many naval officers do, and be so happy.  One
day they delicately broached the subject to Jack.  He burst into a
hearty laugh.

"I fall in love with Julia Giffard!" he exclaimed.  "My dear girls, what
a miserable fate you are suggesting for your friend.  Suppose she were
to engage herself to me!  Away I go for three or four years; back for
two months, and off again for a cruise of like duration as the first.
In the mean time she meets half-a-dozen more likely fellows than I am,
as far as money is concerned at all events, but cannot encourage them on
account of her fatal engagement to me; and perhaps, after all, I get
knocked on the head and never come home at all, while the best years of
her youth have gone by.  No, no, girls; young naval officers who intend
to follow up their profession have no business to marry; that's my
opinion, and I intend to act on it."

Jack's sisters were disappointed, for they saw that he was in earnest,
and had sound sense on his side, still they were not inclined to give
in.

"Then why were you so anxious to get your two brother officers to come
here?" asked Lucy, with considerable _naivete_.

"Whew! was that running in your head, missie?" cried Jack.  "There's no
use denying the fact."

What that fact was Jack did not say.  Lucy blushed, and said no more
about Julia Giffard to her hard-hearted brother.  Jack went on as usual,
making himself agreeable, to the best of his power, and no one would
have suspected who saw them together, that the pretty Julia had been
suggested to him as his future wife, least of all the young lady
herself.  He and every one of the family had soon another matter to
engage their attention--Admiral Triton arrived.  Tom on seeing him could
scarcely conceal his agitation.  The crisis of his fate, as he believed,
had arrived.  The Admiral was diplomatic, however, not knowing how Sir
John, or at all events Lady Rogers, would receive his proposal to send
off another of their sons as an offering to Neptune.  He and Tom had a
long talk, first in private.  Tom acknowledged that he had serious
thoughts of stowing himself away in Jack's chest, not to come out till
the ship was well at sea when he could not be landed; or, failing that
plan, to run off and enter as a powder-monkey or cabin-boy under a
feigned tame.  Go he would he had determined, in some way or other, for
if not, he should certainly fall into a decline, or at all events pine
away till he was fit for nothing.  As the Admiral looked at his sturdy
figure and rosy cheeks he burst into a fit of laughter.

"I don't fear any such result even should you meet with a refusal, Tom,"
he observed, wishing to try him a little further.

"Oh, Admiral Triton, you don't think that they would wish to make a
parson or a lawyer of me surely?" exclaimed Tom, in a tone of alarm.

"I cannot say honestly that I consider you cut out exactly for either
profession, though I have no doubt you would do your duty should you be
induced to adopt one or the other," was the answer.  "However, I will
speak to your father and mother, and if they give me leave I will see
what can be done for you at the Admiralty, and should there be a vacancy
get you appointed to Jack's ship."

Tom thanked the Admiral from the very bottom of his young heart, though
he felt a qualm at the thoughts of the sorrow he should cause his
mother, even should she consent to part with him her youngest born.  It
did not, it must be confessed, last very long, and he looked forward
anxiously to the result of the Admiral's application on his behalf.

Admiral Triton waited till after dinner, when the party were assembled
in the drawing-room to broach the subject.  A very short conversation
with Sir John showed him that there would be no strong opposition on his
part, and he accordingly stumped over to Lady Rogers, by whose side he
seated himself on the sofa, sticking out his timber toe and commencing
with a warm eulogy on Jack.

"A right gallant fellow is that son of yours.  I knew from the first
that he would turn out well; has fully equalled my expectations; had the
true spirit of a sailor as a boy; we want a succession of such in the
service; had I a dozen suits I would send them all to sea, that is to
say if they wished to go.  Naval men, generally, don't think as I do,
perhaps.  They fancy that the country doesn't appreciate their services,
and, therefore, won't appreciate their sons, and so look out for berths
on shore for them; but it's possible, Lady Rogers, that they
over-estimate themselves.  The case is very different with Jack; he is
as modest as a maiden of sixteen, and yet as bold and daring as a lion;
a first-rate officer; he's sure to get on; he'll be a commander in three
or four years, and be a post-captain not long after.  Now, there's your
boy, Tom, just such another lad as Jack was--sure to rise in the
service; and yet he'd be thrown away in any other profession.  If you
send him to Oxford or Cambridge he'd expend all his energies in
boat-racing, or steeple-chasing and cricket--very good things in their
way, but bringing no result; whereas, the same expenditure of energy in
the navy would insure him honour and promotion; and depend on it he'll
get on just as well as Jack."

"But do you think, Admiral, that Tom really wishes to go to sea?" asked
Lady Rogers, in a slightly trembling voice.

"No doubt about it; determined as a young fellow can be, with yours and
his father's permission," answered the Admiral; and he gave an account
of his conversation with Tom, assuring her ladyship that Sir John had no
objection provided she would consent.

Lady Rogers called up Tom, who had been watching her and the Admiral
from a distant part of the room, guessing what was going forward.  With
genuine feeling he threw his arms round his mother's neck, and while,
with tears in his eyes, he confessed that he had set his heart on going
to sea, he told her how very sorry he felt at wishing to leave her.

"The news does not come upon me unexpectedly, my dear boy," she
answered, holding his hand and looking with all a mother's love into his
honest face.  "I have long suspected that you wished to go to sea; but,
as you did not say so positively, I thought, perhaps, that you might
change your mind.  However, as Admiral Triton assures me that you are
cut out for a sailor, and that he can answer for your becoming as good
an officer as your brother Jack is said to be, if your father gives his
consent, I will not withhold mine."

"Thank you, mother, thank you!" cried Tom, again throwing his arms round
her neck, when something seemed to be choking him, and he could say no
more.

"He has the right stuff in him, never fear, never fear, Lady Rogers,"
said the Admiral, nodding his head approvingly behind Tom's back; "he'll
do."

The rest of the evening was spent in discussing several important points
connected with Tom's outfit, Jack being called in to the consultation.
Admiral Triton confessed that, not expecting a refusal, he had already
made all arrangements at the Admiralty for Tom to join the _Plantagenet_
with Jack; and Tom, his ardent hopes realised, went to bed to dream of
his dashing frigate, of Howe, Nelson, and Collingwood, of the countless
adventures in which he expected to engage, and of the heroic exploits he
had determined to perform.

Tom got up the next morning, feeling two inches taller, and walked about
all day with the full consciousness that he was no longer a schoolboy,
but a midshipman in the Royal Navy, with the right to demand due respect
from all civilians; indeed the female portion of the establishment, with
whom he was a monstrous favourite, were perfectly ready to humour him to
his heart's content.  He had been the last baby in the family, and it
was only a wonder that he had escaped being utterly spoiled.  His
manners did not escape the notice of the Admiral, who, highly amused,
called him to take a turn in the grounds.

"A little advice from an old salt, who has seen no small amount of
service, will do you no harm, my boy," he began, after they had walked
some way, talking of various matters.  "You cannot steer a straight
course, either on shore or afloat, without a definite object to guide
you.  Let yours be Duty.  Never mind how disagreeable or how arduous or
difficult it may seem, do that which you believe you ought to do,
strictly obey the orders you receive, never neglect an opportunity of
doing the right thing or of gaining professional knowledge, and never be
tempted to do the wrong one.  Every officer, remember, and man, too,
from the commander-in-chief downwards, is bound to act to the best of
his abilities for the good of the service.  Whatever you are ordered to
do, or however you may be treated by those above you, believe that they
are actuated by that principle.  If you remember that whatever you may
be doomed to bear is for the good of the service, you will be able to
endure an immense amount of what you may think hardship without
grumbling.  You will find a good many persons above you on board ship
whom you will be bound to obey--your brother Jack among them.  Be as
zealous and as ready in obeying him as any one else.  Never take offence
from superiors or equals; it is the sign of a weak mind.  When spoken to
or even abused, whether you are in the right or the wrong, don't answer
again, and don't be ashamed of expressing regret when anything has gone
wrong.  Do your best on all occasions--more you cannot do.  There, Tom,
I have given you a pretty long lecture; log it down in your memory, and
act upon it.  I repeat--let Duty be your guiding star; do your best for
the good of the service, and don't grumble at your superiors or abuse
your inferiors.  These are golden rules well worth remembering, my boy."

"Thank you very much, Admiral Triton; I will try and not forget them,"
answered Tom.

"By-the-bye, you'll not find midshipmen of much 'count on board ship,"
continued the Admiral, with a twinkle in his eye, watching to see how
Tom took his remark.  "Not only are they inferior in rank to all the
commissioned officers, but to the three warrant officers who have risen
from before the mast, and even the petty officers and men are inclined
to treat them as nurses do the babies under their charge; so you must
not be disappointed if you do not meet with the respect you may possibly
expect from those whom you may look upon as your inferiors, though
they'll obey you readily when you repeat the orders you have received
from your superiors."

"I understand, Admiral," said Tom, wincing a little at the remark about
the babies, though he laughed as he spoke; "but I suppose, if I set to
work to learn my duty and get quickly out of petticoats, I shall be sent
away in charge of boats, as Jack used to be, and have opportunities of
proving that I am worth something."

"Well said, Tom; it won't be long before you are breeched, depend on
that," said the Admiral, laughing and patting him on the back.  "Just
don't mind asking for information from those able to afford it, and you
will soon become a sailor."

The last days at home went rapidly by.  Tom enjoyed the satisfaction,
shared in by the whole household, of appearing in his new uniform, an
old one of Jack's, which exactly fitted him, having been sent to Selby,
the Portsmouth tailor, as a pattern.  With no little pride also he
buckled on a sword to his side, dirks having by that time gone out of
fashion.  Dreading the Admiral's quizzing glances, he took the
opportunity of his absence to exhibit himself, again putting on plain
clothes before his return, and only at his mother's request did he
venture to resume his uniform at dinner, not again for many a day to
appear in mufti.

Admiral Triton insisted on accompanying Jack and Tom to Portsmouth,
where he was always glad of an excuse for going.  It was a consolation
to Lady Rogers to see Tom go off under Jack's wing, as she knew that, as
far as one human being can take care of another, Jack would watch over
Tom.  Jack left Halliburton without having, by word or look, confessed
an attachment, even if he felt it, for Julia Giffard, or for any other
young lady among his sisters' dear friends.  He and Tom were much
missed, and certainly Julia Giffard, who came to stay there, took
considerable interest in listening to his sisters' accounts of Jack's
numerous exploits--so at least these young ladies fancied.

CHAPTER TWO.

ADMIRAL TRITON AT PORTSMOUTH--THE THREE OLD MESSMATES MEET EACH OTHER,
AND THEIR THREE YOUNG RELATIVES BECOME ACQUAINTED--THE DINNER AT THE
"GEORGE" WITH ADMIRAL TRITON--ANECDOTES--AN ECCENTRIC COMMANDER--THE
FRIGATE AND CORVETTE SAIL FOR THE WEST INDIES--A PHILOSOPHICAL
BOATSWAIN--JOLLY TIME WITH FINE WEATHER--A HEAVY GALE--TIMES CHANGE--
MARINES AND MIDSHIPMEN ON THEIR BEAM ENDS--MEN LOST--THE MIDSHIPMEN
REGAIN THEIR APPETITES.

The Admiral and his two young friends were soon at Portsmouth.  The
former took up his quarters at the "George," while Jack, who had
remained at home to the last day allowable, accompanied by Tom, at once
went on board the _Plantagenet_, lying alongside a hulk off the
dockyard.  He was warmly welcomed by Captain Hemming, and, much to his
satisfaction, he found that the newly appointed first-lieutenant of the
frigate was his old acquaintance Nat Cherry, lately second of the
_Dugong_ in the China Seas, from whence he had only just arrived.  "The
authorities give us but little time to enjoy the comforts and quiet of
home," he observed, "but it's flattering to one's vanity to discover
that one's services are considered of value; and so when Hemming applied
for me I could not decline, on the plea that my health required
recruiting after the hard work I went through in China, although my
friends declare that I have become as thin as a lath, and have no more
colour than a piece of brown leather.  I cannot say that of you, Rogers,
however."

"Really, Cherry, you look to me as well filled out and as blooming as
ever," answered Jack, surveying the rotund figure and rosy cheeks of his
new messmate; "you and I afford proof that hard work seldom does people
harm.  Idleness is the greatest foe to health of the two.  And who is to
be third of the frigate?"

"No one has as yet been appointed.  The master and purser have joined--
very good fellows in their way--with an assistant-surgeon, and three or
four youngsters; among them young Harry Bevan, who was with us in the
_Dugong_."

"I am very glad of that," said Jack; "Bevan is the style of lad I should
wish as a companion for my young brother Tom."

"Your brother, the youngster who came on board with you.  I was sure of
it; you are as like as two peas," said Mr Cherry.  "I hope that he'll
imitate you in all respects.  It's a satisfaction to have steady
youngsters on board who keep out of scrapes and don't give trouble."

Tom--who had already made himself known to Harry Bevan--was called aft,
and introduced by Jack to Mr Cherry, and felt very happy and proud as
he looked along the deck of the fine frigate to which he belonged.  It
was no dream; there he was in reality, walking about and talking to
Bevan and other fellows dressed like himself in midshipmen's uniforms;
and then he went into the berth, and took his seat among the others at
dinner.  It was just as Jack had described it; not very large, but, till
the rest of the mess had joined, with just sufficient elbow-room.  They
had plenty of good things, for the caterer, old Higson, was something of
an epicure; and Tom tasted grog for the first time, which he thought
very nasty stuff, though he did not say so, as he knew that sailors
liked it; and besides it would not be polite to express his opinion to
Higson, who had evidently no objection to its taste.  Altogether Tom was
convinced that midshipmen, as he had always supposed, must lead very
jolly lives.  That very night, too, he was to sleep in a hammock, which
he thought would be rare fun.  He and his new messmates soon returned on
deck, when the men who had been at dinner came tumbling up from below,
and set to swaying up yards and hoisting in stores, the boatswain
sounding his shrill pipe amidst the hubbub of noises--the officers, from
Mr Cherry downwards, shouting at the top of their voices, and the men
bawling and rushing in gangs here and there at headlong speed, hauling
away at ropes till Tom felt more bewildered than he had ever before been
in his life, and narrowly escaped being knocked over several times in
spite of the efforts he made to keep out of the way.  However, his
experiences were only those of midshipmen in general when they first
join a ship.

Tom had been advised by Jack to learn all about the masts and rigging as
soon as possible, and he accordingly set to work without delay, asking
questions of every one whom he for a moment saw standing quiet, and was
likely to answer him.  Harry Bevan told him a good deal, as did the
other midshipmen, no one showing a disposition to humbug him, possibly
on Jack's account, who would have found them out if they had.  Before
night Tom began to fancy that he really knew something about a ship,
though it might be some time before he could consider himself a thorough
sailor.

Though the captain lived on shore, the first lieutenant had taken up his
quarters on board; Jack finding plenty to do, and being economically
inclined followed his example.  A fine-looking corvette, the _Tudor_,
was fitting out a little way higher up the harbour.  Jack scanned her
with a seaman's eye, and thought that had he not been appointed to the
frigate he should like to belong to her.  It was still uncertain to what
station the _Plantagenet_ would be sent.  No great difficulty, however,
was found in getting men to enter for her.  Sailors look more to the
captain and officers than to the part of the world to which they are to
go.  One clime to them is much the same as another.  They are as ready
to go to the North Pole as to the coast of Africa, if they like the ship
and the commander.  Captain Hemming bore a good character, as did
Lieutenants Cherry and Rogers, among those who had ever sailed with
them.  No persons are more thoroughly discussed than are naval officers
by seamen; the wheat is completely sifted from the chaff, the gold from
the alloy; and many who pass for very fine fellows on shore are looked
upon as arrant pretenders afloat.  Jack was making his way towards the
shop of Mr Woodward the bookseller, when two seamen in a happy state of
indifferentism to all sublunary affairs came rolling out of the street
which debouches on the Common Hard near the Dockyard gates.

"I say, Dick, if that bean't Jack Rogers, say I never broke biscuit!"
exclaimed one of the men, pointing ahead with out-stretched arm.

"No doubt about it, Ben," answered his companion, "I'd a known him a
mile off, and I see'd last night in the paper that he's appointed to the
_Plantagenet_ along with Captain Hemming.  (Dick pronounced all the
syllables long.)  What say you? my pockets are pretty well cleaned out,
and so, I've a notion, are yours.  Shall we go and enter at once?  It
must come to that afore long."

"I'm agreeable, Dick--when a thing's to be done, it's best to do it like
men," said Ben, just as they arrived in front of the bookseller's shop,
where they waited the reappearance of the lieutenant, Jack soon came
out, and at once recognising two former shipmates in the _Dugong_, Dick
Needham and Ben Snatchblock asked them if they were willing to join the
_Plantagenet_.  An affirmative being given, he begged them to pick up
any other prime hands they could come across.  By the evening, when he
returned on board, he had, much to his satisfaction, obtained ten good
men.

The next day Jack went on shore for the same purpose, accompanied by
Tom, with the intention of calling on Admiral Triton before returning on
board.  They had just passed through the Dockyard gates when Jack saw
approaching from the left, accompanied by a young midshipman, a
lieutenant, whom it did not take him many seconds to recognise as his
old messmate, Alick Murray.  They did not exactly rush into each other's
arms as Frenchmen or Spaniards would have done, but they shook hands
with honest warmth, and Jack exclaimed, "I thought you were in Scotland.
Where have you sprung from, Alick?"

Murray then told him that he had been appointed as second lieutenant to
the _Tudor_, Commander Babbicome, with orders to join immediately, which
he had done the previous evening but having the outfit of a youngster to
look after, and letters to write, he had been unable to get on board the
_Plantagenet_.  He turned round and introduced his companion, a tall,
slight lad, as his cousin Archy Gordon, who had also been appointed to
the corvette.  Thereon Jack introduced Tom, and the two midshipmen, who
had before been eyeing each other askance, shook hands, and of course at
once fraternised.  Tom felt very proud of being able to speak in an
authoritative tone about the frigate to Archy, who had not as yet been
on board the corvette, and had not even seen a ship of war except at a
distance.

"We do things as smart as lightning aboard our frigate, I can tell you,"
continued Tom.  "Our first lieutenant is a very good fellow, and our
second is my brother Jack, and there are not many like him.  I've been
twice up to the main truck, and ever so often into the mizen-top, and
we've a capital mess, and shall be a jolly set when all hands join.  Are
you going to belong to us?"

"I dinna think so," answered Archy, in a broad Scotch accent.  "My
cousin, that is my father's sister's son, Alick Murray there, is
lieutenant of a ship they call the _Tudor_, and I'm to go alang wi'
him."

"Oh, that's the small craft fitting out ahead of us.  She's a fine
little ship of her class though, so my brother Jack says, and so I may
congratulate you, but of course she's not to be compared to our frigate.
I say, you must come and pay us a visit on board, and I'll put you up
to all sorts of things."

Archy expressed himself much obliged, but cautiously refrained from
accepting the invitation till he knew what his cousin Alick might say on
the subject.

Meantime Jack and Alick Murray were talking eagerly together.

"And where are you bound for?" asked Jack.

"I heard through a friend at the Admiralty that the _Tudor_ is to be
sent to the same station as the _Plantagenet_, which, as you may
suppose, gave me no slight satisfaction," answered Murray.

"That is capital news," cried Jack.  "It will be curious if we keep
together as lieutenants as much as we did as midshipmen, and go through
as many more adventures as we have already fallen in with.  I only wish
that by some wonderful chance Paddy Adair could be with us."

"And that same wonderful chance has brought him here," exclaimed a voice
from behind, and while a hand was placed on the shoulders of each, on
looking round they caught sight of the merry countenance of Paddy
himself, now smiling into the face of one, now into that of the other.

"It's dropped from the clouds you are after thinking I am now," he
continued, laughing, "only they don't as a rule rain such big fish as
myself.  Well then, to satisfy your curiosity you are indebted for the
satisfaction of seeing me here this morning, to a peremptory missive
from my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, directing me to hasten
over from Ireland to join the _Plantagenet_ as third lieutenant, and I
needn't tell you I never obeyed an order with more willing alacrity."

"And I don't think anything next to being made commander-in-chief right
off could have given me greater satisfaction," said Jack, who seldom
indulged in anything so nearly approaching a sentimental speech.

Murray said something of the same sort.

While the three old school-fellows were carrying on an animated
conversation, a third midshipman had joined Tom and Archy.

"Will ye be after telling me, if ye plase, who are those two leetenants
my Uncle Terence is talking to?" he said, as he stepped up to them and
made them a polite bow with his cap.  Archy returned it, but Tom, who
had discovered that it was not the fashion for midshipmen to bow to each
other, only laughed, and asked as he pointed with his chin at the three
lieutenants--

"Do you mean that merry-looking fellow between those two?"

"That same sure," was the answer.

Tom explained who they were, adding, "And who are you, and what ship do
you belong to?"

"Sure I don't belong to one at all at all, but my Uncle, Terence Adair,
is to be third lieutenant of the _Plantagenet_ frigate, and I'm to be a
midshipman with him; and in the matter of my name, I'm Gerald Desmond,
of Ballymacree Castle, in County Clare, Ireland."

"Well, Mr Gerald Desmond, of Bally--what do you call it, County Clare,
Ireland?  I have the pleasure of informing you that you are to be a
messmate of mine, and as I've heard a good deal of your uncle, Paddy
Adair, from my brother Jack, I shall be very happy to welcome you on
board and to introduce you to the other fellows."

Gerald expressed himself much obliged to Tom for the intended favour.

"But ye'll not be after calling my Uncle Terence, Paddy, if ye plase,"
he added, his Irish blood rising with the idea that some disrespect was
shown to his relative.

"Don't trouble yourself about that, my dear fellow," said Tom, who never
wished to quarrel with any one.  "My brother Jack always calls him so,
and the Paddy slipped out by mistake; but you may be very sure that
you'll be Paddy Desmond from the hour you step on board, and for ever
after unless there's another Irishman to deprive you of the title,
though, probably, there'll then be a brace of Paddies."

"Faith, I'm not ashamed of my country, and I am perfectly happy to be
Paddy Desmond if you and the other boys like to call me so," answered
Gerald, laughing.

Adair finding that it was not necessary to go on board the frigate
immediately, accompanied his two friends into Portsmouth, the three
young midshipmen following in their wake, Gerald having first been
introduced to Jack and Alick.  The youngsters were fast friends from
that moment, laughing and rattling away, and playing each other all
sorts of tricks.  No one would have supposed that they had only just met
for the first time in their lives.  As they turned into the High Street
the lieutenants encountered Admiral Triton stumping along in his
flushing coat and weather-beaten hat.  He recognised Murray and Adair at
once, and invited them and Jack, with Tom and his two friends to dine
with him at the "George" at six.

"I shall then hear how you like being a sailor.  It isn't too late to
give it up," said the Admiral, looking at Tom.

"Wouldn't change if they would make me a judge or Archbishop of York,"
answered Tom, in a positive tone.

"Just like Jack," observed the Admiral, smiling, "I hope at the end of
your cruise you'll have no reason to repent your resolution."

Jack during the day picked up several more men, and returned early on
board; when Tom, with no little pride, introduced his new friend to the
mess, as Mr Gerald Desmond, of Ballymacree Castle, County Clare,
Ireland.

"Mr Gerald Desmond be hanged!" exclaimed old Higson, who had come down
tired, after having worked hard all day, and was out of humour.  "Call
him Paddy Desmond at once.  We have no misters in this berth."

"And sure, so I am Paddy Desmond, and if it's to show that I come from
old Ireland, I'm proud of the title," said Gerald, taking his seat, and
looking about him with an air of unconcern.

"I told you so," whispered Tom.  "I knew from the first that they would
call you Paddy."

Gerald quickly made himself at home, and took in good part all the
quizzing his messmates chose to bestow on him.

The dinner at the "George" went off capitally.  The Admiral put his
young guests at their ease, and let them talk and laugh away to their
hearts' content, telling them all sorts of amusing anecdotes, and though
he took good care not to allow them to drink more wine than their heads
could carry, they unanimously declared that he was the jolliest old
fellow they had ever met.  Of course, he did not forget to tell all the
company boxy Adair had made him carry his portmanteau, and to chuckle
over the story for five minutes at least.

"A pretty pass the service has come to when midshipmen take such
liberties with their superiors, eh, Captain Sourcrout?" he exclaimed,
giving a poke in the ribs with his elbow to a stiff, old, martinet style
of post-captain, who sat next to him, and had looked utterly horrified
at his story.

"The world's turned upside down, isn't it?  We shall have the youngsters
mast-heading us next, if we don't exactly please them, eh?"

Captain Sourcrout, unable to speak from indignation, could only shake
his head and frown terribly, at which the midshipmen, as he was not
their captain, laughed the more heartily.  The Admiral had heard, too,
of the trick Jack and his messmates had played with Quirk, the monkey,
on Lieutenant Spry, of the marines, and while he told the story as he
had received it from Jack, with a few amplifications of his own, the
tears ran down his eyes, till Captain Sourcrout, boiling over with
indignation, exclaimed:

"The navy has indeed come to a pretty pass when such things are allowed.
Instead of being mast-headed, the three midshipmen should have been
brought to a court-martial, and dismissed the service."

"But, my dear Captain Sourcrout, the affair happened a good many years
ago, remember," interrupted the Admiral, wishing to tranquillise him,
"and had not leniency been shown to the culprits, the service would have
lost three promising young officers likely to prove ornaments to it.
However, I would advise other youngsters not to imitate them.  Such
tricks don't bear repetition, I'll allow.  By-the-bye, Captain
Sourcrout, are you acquainted with my old shipmate, Jerry Hazledine?  He
served under me as a youngster, and I have kept an eye on him ever
since.  He hailed from Ireland, and as all his ways and doings savoured
strongly of the Emerald Isle, he was known as Paddy throughout the
service."

The Admiral went on, without wailing to hear whether Captain Sourcrout
was or was not personally acquainted with the officer in question.

"Paddy Hazledine was possessed of prodigious strength, though he seldom
put it forth, except in what he considered the side of right and
justice.  His notions, to be sure, on these points, were occasionally
like himself, somewhat eccentric; ha! ha! ha!  I remember it as if it
were yesterday.  Coming up High Street one night, I saw a crowd
collected round a lamp-post, not one of your modern iron affairs, but a
stout, honest one of timber, with a cross-bar at the top as long as a
sloop's cross-jack-yard.  Seated with his legs over it was Paddy
Hazledine in full rig, cocked hat and sword--he was a lieutenant then as
composed as possible, smoking a cigar, which, it appeared, he had got up
there for the purpose of lighting at the huge glass lamp, as big as a
seventy-four's poop-lantern.  While he held on with one hand, in the
other he flourished a formidable shillaly, which he usually carried, as
he declared, in order to keep the peace when more warlike weapons could
not be used.  Below him stood half-a-dozen watchmen, who, in angry
tones, were ordering him to come down, while he, in eloquent language,
was asserting his right to be where he was, and proclaiming his
intention of remaining there as long as suited his pleasure.  Every now
and then the watchmen made a rush at him with their cudgels, the blows
from which his faithful shillaly enabled him to ward off, and
occasionally to bestow a pretty heavy tap on the heads of the most
daring of his assailants.

"`Is it breaking the peace I am, do ye say?' he exclaimed.  `Not at all
at all.  It's you are doing the same, and running the risk of getting
your on heads broken as the consequence.  Now be off wid you, and lave a
quietly-disposed citizen to his meditations.'

"I kept out of sight to see what would happen next.  At length the
watchmen lost patience.  While three of their number remained at a
respectful distance from the heavy end of the shillaly to prevent Paddy
from escaping, the others went off, as I supposed, for a ladder and
further assistance.  Hazledine, fearless of consequences, sat smoking
his cigar with perfect composure.  Presently a dozen watchmen came
trooping up, some armed with sticks and others with crow-bars and
pick-axes and spades.  Their object was evident.  While one party began
digging away round the lamp-post, the others defended them by fierce
assaults with their sticks on the gallant lieutenant's legs, giving him
enough to do for their defence, and thus preventing him from bringing
down his weapon on the heads of their comrades.  Still he showed every
intention of keeping his seat, and notwithstanding the violent shaking
which the working party gave the post as they got near the heel, he held
on.  At length, several stout fellows putting their shoulders to it, up
it came, but instead of toppling it over, away they marched, carrying
off Paddy in triumph, as they thought, to the watch-house; but they
little knew the man they had got hold of.  He seemed to enjoy the fun,
and sat smoking as before, and occasionally indulging in a quiet laugh.
Suddenly uttering a wild Irish shout, he sprang over the heads of his
bearers, and with a whirl of his shillaly, scattering those who
attempted to stop him, he darted down a narrow lane, the end of which
they were passing at the time, and disappeared from sight.  As his ship
sailed the next morning, the police of Portsmouth searched in vain for
the culprit, who, getting undiscovered on board, did not fail to amuse
his messmates with a full account of his exploit; ha! ha! ha!"

The Admiral laughed heartily at his story, as, of course, did everybody
else, with the exception of Captain Sourcrout, who, grimly smiling,
observed--

"I should have brought that harum-scarum lieutenant to a court-martial
pretty sharply."

"What for--smoking a cigar on the top of a lamp-post?" asked the
Admiral.  "It is not against the articles of war."

"No, Admiral Triton, but for conduct unworthy the character of an
officer and a gentleman," answered Captain Sourcrout gruffly.

"Well, as to that, people may be allowed to have their opinion.  It's
not a usual proceeding, I grant you, but the act was beyond the
jurisdiction of his captain, and as Paddy was as gallant a fellow as
ever stepped and never failed in his duty, I don't think he would have
been willing to act as you suggest.  We must not forget that we were
once upon a time youngsters ourselves, and we may possibly recall to
mind some of the tricks we played in those days, ay, and after we had
mounted a swab, or maybe two, on our shoulders.  You remember the
sentry-box which stood at the inner end of the landing-place on the
Common Hard, with a comfortable seat inside it, rather tempting, it must
be confessed, to a drowsily-disposed sentry to take a quiet snooze.  Our
fore-fathers had more consideration for the legs and feet of soldiers
than the martinets of our times.  To be sure, it a sentry was found
asleep he ought have been flogged or shot, but he could sit down and
rest himself, and if he did so it was at his own risk.

"One night several young commanders, there may have been a post-captain
among them, coming down to the Common Hard, after a dinner-party on
shore, to go on board their ships, found the sentry fast asleep in his
sentry-box.  They, of course, were as sober as judges; he, evidently,
drunk as a fiddler.  They thereon held a consultation, and came to the
unanimous conclusion that it was meet and fit that a man guilty of so
flagrant an infraction of military discipline should receive condign
punishment, and constituting themselves the executioners as well as the
judges of the law, forthwith set about carrying out the sentence they
had pronounced.  Calling up the strongest men of their boats' crews,
they ordered them to shoulder the sentry-box and its sentry within, and
to carry it down to one of the boats as gently as possible, not to awake
the occupant.  There, however, was little chance of that.  Safe on
board,--there being no witnesses but themselves to the operation,--the
boat containing it was towed across to the Gosport shore, on which,
being carefully landed, it was set up in its proper position, facing the
harbour.  Great, as may be supposed, was the consternation of the
`Relief' when it arrived at the post, to find sentry-box and sentry
gone.  The soldier could not have walked off with it as a snail does its
shell on its back.  A rigid search was instituted, but no sign of sentry
or box could be discovered, and the sentry at the Dockyard gates, having
also been snoozing at the time, had neither seen nor heard anything
unusual.  The captain of the guard, unable, even by a conjecture, to
solve the mystery, considered it of sufficient importance to report
without delay to the major, who, jumping to the conclusion, as he heard
it when awakened from his first sleep, that the French had made their
way into the harbour, and were about to assault the town, turned out the
guard, ordered the draw-bridge to be hauled up, and, like a wise
soldier, took every precaution to avoid surprise.  Not till the next
morning was his mind set at rest, when a report came from across the
harbour that a sentry-box had been found on the Gosport shore, where one
had not stood the night before, with a sentry in front of it, who could
give no account of how he got there.  The sentry, on awaking at
daybreak, had in vain looked for the objects he expected to see around
him, but deemed it prudent to maintain his post.  When questioned, he
roundly asserted that he had been broad awake all night, and the only
conclusion to which he or any one else could come, was that he had been
the victim of some trick of witchcraft."

"Were you, admiral, among those who played it?" asked Captain Sourcrout
"because then the less I say on the subject the better."

"A man is not compelled by law to give evidence against himself,"
answered the admiral, laughing.  "I give the tale current at the time,
and happened to have been informed of the facts which solved the
mystery.  I should say that Jerry Hazledine had nothing to do with it,
as it was before his day.  He has a good many things set down to his
account."

"Some of them were true bills, however," observed another post-captain.
"I was a midshipman under him when he commanded the old _Turk_.  Though
good-natured he was somewhat hot-tempered.  One of our marines had been
bred a barber, and Jerry, discovering this, made the man come in every
morning to shave him, the steward following with a jug of warm water.
It had just been placed on the table as the barber had finished
lathering the captain's face, but instead of being only warm was
scalding hot.  The marine, not reflecting on this, dipped in his razor,
and intending to commence operations on the captain's upper lip, touched
the tip of his nose with the back.  As Jerry felt the pain, on the
impulse of the moment up went his fist, which he planted with a
knock-down blow between the eyes of the unfortunate jolly, who rolled
over, half-stunned, on the deck.  I, at that moment, went into the
cabin, having been sent on some duty or other, and heard Jerry shout out
in a voice of thunder:--

"`Take that, ye spalpeen, and think yourself fortunate to get it instead
of the three dozen you would have had as sure as you're alive for
burning your captain's nose.'  The captain, in half a minute, sitting
down as if nothing had happened, the jolly picked himself up and went on
with the operation, taking very good care, you may be certain, not to
burn Jerry's nose again.  Some time after this, our captain received an
intimation from the Admiralty, as did other captains, that flogging was
as much as possible to be avoided, and other punishments substituted.
On this, Jerry, who was possessed of an inventive turn of mind, set
himself to work to devise such as would to a certainty be so hated by
the men that they would answer the purpose of maintaining discipline
fully as much as flogging.  The ship's cook was a one-legged negro, a
jolly, fat fellow with a comical expression of countenance, Sambo
Lillywhite by name, generally known as Sam Lilly.  Sam had a white mate
called Tim Dippings, an incorrigibly idle rascal.  One day Tim--not for
the first time--had neglected to clean the galley, and on being
reported, both he and Sam Lilly were put in the black list.  Jerry,
exercising his inventive genius, ordered Tim to walk the deck the whole
of the afternoon watch, with a cauldron slung round his neck half full
of slush; while the black cook, with a huge frying-pan held at arm's
length in each hand, had to pace up and down for the same period.  As
each bell struck Tim had to sing out, `Here am I for not cleaning the
galley,' which was responded to by Sambo, in the most dolorous tone,
with, `I here for no see 'um do it,' his peculiar voice and the comical
expression of his countenance eliciting roars of laughter from his
shipmates.  Thus at every half-hour the words went sounding along the
deck, `Here am I for not cleaning the galley!'  `I here for no see 'um
do it.'  Jerry, however, on another occasion, surpassed even himself, he
caught a man smuggling a bottle of rum on board.  The opportunity for
exhibiting his inventive genius was not to be lost.  The bottle was
captured and the man put in the black list.  The captain, after due
consideration, ordered a cock to be fixed in a seven-gallon beaker, into
which, being more than half-filled with water, the rum was emptied.  It
was then secured by a rope yarn round the neck of the culprit, who
appeared thus at the commencement of the watch with a tumbler in his
hand, and as the bell struck he had to fill his glass and drink the
contents, shouting out at the top of his voice each time, `Here am I, a
smuggler bold!'  He was never again caught smuggling spirits on board.
Some captains with less inventive genius are much more cruel than was
our friend Jerry in their black list punishments."

"That is not a subject I wish to bear spoken of," observed Captain
Sourcrout, in an angry tone.

"Come, come, we'll change it then, gentlemen," exclaimed the
good-natured admiral.

"I forgot," whispered Jack's neighbour to him.  "Old Sourcrout is said
to have had a man's head shaved, and to have made him carry a kettle of
boiling water on the top of it for two hours during every day-watch for
a week, but that may be scandal."

"As to the shaving I fancy so, but with regard to the water it is true
enough, only it was not boiling," answered Jack.  "He got hauled up for
it, notwithstanding, and no wonder that he does not like the subject of
black-listing spoken of."

Notwithstanding the grumpy remarks Captain Sourcrout occasionally let
drop, the party went off very pleasantly, and Desmond and Gordon assured
Tom that he had not overpraised the admiral, and that they had no notion
there were such jolly old fellows in the navy.  He, at all events, was
worthy of all the patronage they could bestow.

Murray came on board the frigate the next day to see Jack and Terence.
He was pleased with the corvette as far as she herself was concerned.

"She is as fine a little craft as I could wish for, but," he added, "the
commander is one of the oddest fish I ever fell in with.  He has not
been to sea for a number of years, and having, as he says, turned his
sword into a ploughshare, has devoted his mind to farming and rural
sports.  Unwilling to tear himself altogether from his beloved beeves
and sheep, and pigs and poultry, he has brought them along with him, and
has converted the little ship into a regular Noah's ark.  The boats are
turned into sheep-pens and hen-coops, and the decks cumbered with
ox-stalls and hay-stacks.  If the latter, in the meantime, do not catch
fire, the admiral, when he comes to inspect us, will order them and the
greater portion of the live-stock to be landed, and we shall probably
benefit by the remainder, as they must be killed for want of food, so we
have said nothing to him as yet on the subject; but Haultaut, our first,
grumbles and looks askance at the beasts every time he goes along the
deck, and declares that the ship is more like a Thames barge than a
man-of-war, while Grummet, the boatswain, grins ominously at them, and
tells the butcher to keep his knife sharp, as he will have work enough
on his hands before long.  Old Babbicome is afflicted, it seems, with
absence of mind.  The day after he joined the ship he sang out to a
midshipman, `Let my cab be brought round to the door.'  The youngster
stared.  `Do you hear?  What did I say?'  `You desired to have your cab
brought round to the door, sir,' answered the midshipman, trying to
stifle his laughter.  `Ah! did I?' exclaimed the commander.  `Well,
possibly.  It's no easy matter to change one's mode of expression on a
sudden.  I mean, man my gig; I am going on shore.'  The first day he
attempted to carry on duty, he threw all the crew into convulsions by
shouting out, `Wo-ho! wo-ho, there!  I mean, avast hauling, you
lubbers!' and he swore and stamped with rage when he saw the men
tittering near him, and wanted to know what they were laughing at."

Probably, we shall hear more of Commander Babbicome.  Murray's account
highly amused his friends.

"Well, Alick, you may possibly pick up a few wrinkles which may be of
use to you when your time comes, and you settle down on the Highland
farm you used to talk about," said Jack, laughing.

"I would sacrifice so remote a benefit for the sake of having the ship
look rather more like a man-of-war than she does at present," answered
Murray.

Two days after this a lighter was seen alongside the corvette, when
truss after truss of hay was lowered into her.  Then came two fat oxen
and lastly, nearly a dozen sheep.

"Any more coming?" asked the master of the lighter.

"No, no," exclaimed the commander, who had been looking on with ruthful
countenance, adding, as he turned aft, clenching his fist, and pulling
at his hair, "I'd sooner throw up my command than part with them."

The frigate and corvette were ready for sea at the same time, and went
out together to Spithead.  Still their destination was unknown.  The
tailors, the Jews, and even the bumboat-women were unable to solve the
mystery, the fact being that the Lords of the Admiralty had not decided
themselves.  Ships were wanted at three different stations, but economy
being the order of the day, all three could not be supplied.  The West
Indies, the South American station and the Pacific were spoken of.  At
length Captain Hemming announced that he had received orders to proceed
to Jamaica, and that the _Tudor_ was to accompany the _Plantagenet_.
More stores and provisions were received on board, till every locker and
cranny in the two ships was filled, as Adair remarked, to bursting.

Admiral Triton came on board the frigate to wish his young friends
good-bye.

"I cannot say that I hope you'll come back crowned with glory and your
pockets filled with prize-money, for such things are not to be picked up
now-a-days," he said, shaking Jack's hand, "but may you enjoy health and
happiness and have many a long yarn to spin about your adventures in the
West Indies or wherever you may be sent to, and I suspect that your
captain has got orders to proceed rather farther than you at present
expect."

As the kind old admiral went down the side, the anchor was run up to the
bows, to the sound of the merry fife, the topsails were sheeted home,
and the two ships glided westward over the smooth waters of the Solent.
It was a lovely morning, a few fine weather clouds were to be seen here
and there in the sky, but there were not enough of them to obscure the
noon-day splendour of the sun.  The duck trousers and shirts of the
crews looked clean and summerish; the new gold lace on the uniforms of
the officers glittered brightly as they paced the deck, or hurried here
and there as duty called; the sentries with gleaming arms and white
belts; the fresh paint, the light-coloured copper, the snowy canvas, all
indicated that the ships were just out of harbour, to many an admiring
eye from Ryde pier, and from yachts large and small, as the frigate
followed by the corvette, with a leading wind, ran past the shores of
the Isle of Wight, towards the Needles passage.  Numberless yachts
skimmed by them; those fairy-like fabrics which Englishmen alone know
how thoroughly to enjoy, varying in size from Lord Yarborough's superb
_Falcon_, to the tiny craft whose owner is probably proud of her in
inverse ratio to her tonnage.  All is not gold that glitters, and the
fair admirers of the graceful frigate and corvette would have been
somewhat horrified, could they have witnessed the various scenes taking
place within the dark recesses of the ships, and had they heard the
language, neither refined nor pious, uttered by their sturdy crews, and
it must be confessed by some of the officers also--not by Jack Rogers
though--for neither oath nor unbecoming phrase ever issued from his
honest hips.  The mate of the lower deck, with the purser's clerks and
assistants, had provisions and articles innumerable to stow away; the
gunner, boatswain, and carpenter, their respective stores to look to;
indeed, in every department order had to commence its reign, where chaos
had hitherto seemed to prevail, operations not to be performed without
their due allowance of shouting and swearing.  On deck all went
smoothly, and under the pleasantest of auspices the two ships ran
through the Needles, and stood down channel.

Tom and Paddy Desmond (for, of course he was so called, as Tom said he
would be) were as jolly as possible, and laughed at sea-sickness, or any
of the ills landsmen are subject to; they were not going to be ill, not
they.  Already they began to consider themselves first-rate sailors, for
they could go aloft and skylark as fearlessly as young monkeys, and box
the compass; and had some notion when the helm was a-lee, and the
head-sails backed against the mast, that the ship would come about.  As
yet, to be sure, they had had only light winds and smooth water, but
even a heavy gale would make no difference to them, of that they were
very sure.  Old Higson grinned sarcastically when he heard them say so.

"Oh, of course, sucking Nelsons like you are above such weaknesses; we
shall see, though, when the time comes.  The proof of the pudding is in
the eating."

"Faith, I hope to have some better pudding to eat than this hard duff,"
answered Paddy, who seldom understood the meaning of the proverbs Higson
was in the habit of quoting.  The old mate only laughed; though he had a
colt, to keep the turbulent in order, he seldom used it, treating the
two youngsters with more consideration than he might have done under
other circumstances, out of respect to Rogers and Adair, though they
were under the impression that it was owing to their own merits, and
were apt accordingly to take liberties with him.  He behaved to them as
a good-natured bear might towards a couple of playful children whom he
could munch up in a moment.

"I say, Tom, couldn't we be after playing some trick like that the
admiral told us of, which your brother and my uncle Terence played off
on Lieutenant Spry, with Quaco, the monkey," said Gerald, one day to his
messmate, when they were alone together; "it would be mighty good fun."

"I should like to do something of the sort amazingly, but once when Jack
was telling me some of the tricks of his midshipman-days, he gave me a
strong hint not to imitate them, as he would certainly be down upon me,"
answered Tom; "for all he is so good-natured, he can be wonderfully
strict, I can tell you.  He was saying that tricks are very well in
their way if they are original and have fun in them, but that those who
play them must look out for the consequences."

"I shouldn't have supposed that of him," said Gerald; "I'm after
thinking now that my uncle Terence would be as ready for any fun as he
ever was in his life."

"Very likely, but he mightn't approve of our indulging in it
notwithstanding," answered Tom; "however, if you can think of anything,
I'm willing enough to lend a hand.  We can't play Lieutenant Jennings
such a trick as they did old Spry, because he's too wide awake and
wouldn't stand it; besides, we've no Quaco to dress up in his uniform.
By-the-bye, I hope that we shall be able to get a jolly monkey before
long, at Jamaica or elsewhere.  I don't know if they run wild in the
woods there, indeed it might be as well to have a civilised one who
knows how to behave himself, and then I think we might manage to play
old Scrofton, the boatswain, a trick."

"How?" asked Gerald eagerly.

"Don't you know that he has got a notion in his head that men are
descended, or rather, I should say, ascended from apes, which he
declares has been proved by a Lord Monboddo, or some other wiseacre, and
if we had a monkey, we might somehow or other put his theory to the
test, and, at all events, have some fun with the old fellow."

"Capital; I'll think over what can be done," exclaimed Gerald, rubbing
his hands with glee; "do the gunner and carpenter agree with him?"

"No; the three are constantly disputing on the subject.  I heard them
yesterday, and they are probably at it again to-day.  Come below; it
will be good fun to hear them."

The midshipmen found the three warrant officers in the boatswain's
cabin.  He was seated; the others standing at the door, leaning against
the bulkheads.  They took up a position, so as not to be seen within
earshot.  The gunner was arguing that if men have grown out of monkeys,
there would be none of the latter left, as they would all have turned
into men; and the carpenter declared that though he had wandered all the
world over, he had never met with one half-way between a man and a
monkey, which he should have done if any change does take place.

"Have you ever seen apes without tails?" asked old Scrofton
triumphantly.

"Yes," answered Gimlett, "with blue faces and hinder-ends of the same
colour, but they moved on all fours, and though we had one aboard, and
did our best to teach him to speak, and light a fire, and make himself
useful, he could never do anything, and remained as great a beast as
ever to the cud of his clays."

"Of course," said Blake, the gunner; "a man's a man, and a beast's a
beast; and there are no greater beasts than apes; that's my opinion,
whatever Lord What-do-ye-call-him, or any other of your philosophers
says to the contrary."

"I tell you it's all down in my book as clear as a pikestaff, and it's
my Lord Monboddo says it," exclaimed Mr Scrofton indignantly.  "He, I
should think, would know more about the matter than any warrant officer
in her Majesty's service, or any captain or commander to boot."

The midshipmen's laughter made the gunner pop his head out, when they,
feeling ashamed of acting longer the part of eaves-droppers, moved off.

"Old Scrofton is fair game anyhow," said Desmond.  "I wonder a man can
be such a fool."

"He is a very good boatswain, notwithstanding, my brother Jack says,"
observed Tom.

Mr Scrofton was a character, as are many other warrant officers.  They
must, indeed, besides being sober and steady and good seamen, be
somewhat above the average as to intellect to obtain their appointments,
while their eccentricities and peculiarities have generally not till
then been noticed.  Possessing but a limited amount of education, the
boatswain of the _Plantagenet_ endeavoured, on attaining his present
rank, to instruct himself; and having no one to advise him, he had
purchased some books at haphazard, the contents of which he respected
the more that they were totally beyond his comprehension.  The work
mentioned was among them, and as he thought that he understood it best
it was his chief favourite.  He was a short, spare man, with a red face
tanned by tropical suns, ferrety eyes, sharp as needles, and huge black
whiskers which stuck out like studding-sails on either side of his
countenance.  Once upon a time it was reported a Russian admiral, on
visiting the ship to which he belonged, was much astonished when
Scrofton was pointed out to him as the boatswain.  "What, so small a
fellow as that?" he exclaimed; "we always select our boatswains from men
six feet high and upwards, who can use their rattans with good effect."
Small as he was the boatswain of the _Plantagenet_ had a voice which
could be heard amid the loudest strife of the elements; and being a
thorough seaman he was respected by the crew in spite of his
philosophical notions, about which they cared nothing.  He was extremely
loath to get the men punished if he could help it, and never swore at
them in the way they called swearing--not that they would have minded it
much if he had--though he occasionally seasoned his remarks with
expressions gleaned from his books, which had the more force that their
meaning was utterly incomprehensible.  He entertained a friendly feeling
for the two young midshipmen, whom he took great pains to instruct in
their nautical duties; and under his tuition they soon gained a fair
knowledge of the arts of knotting, splicing, and other practical details
of their profession; nor did he entertain a suspicion that they held his
philosophical opinions otherwise than in profound respect.  Jack and
Adair gave them lessons in navigation, so that they had advantages not
generally possessed by youngsters in those days who had not been to the
Naval College.  Tom, having got the start, though only of a few days,
kept steadily ahead of his companion.  He had had the advantage of
better training at school, as far as navigation was concerned.  Dick
Needham, also, who had been rated as boatswain's-mate, was another of
their instructors; and as he was always in good humour, and took the
greatest possible pains to teach them all he knew, they gained as much
from him as from any one else.

The frigate and corvette sailed forward on their course across the
Atlantic, with every stitch of canvas they could carry set slow and
aloft.  Two or three times they were totally becalmed, when the officers
of the two ships paid visits to each other.  Murray, with Archy Gordon,
had come on board the _Plantagenet_.

"Well, Gordon, how do you get on aboard the corvette?" was the natural
question put by Tom.

"Vary weel, but we've much the same sort of thing to do every day;
washing and holy-stoning decks in the morning, and exercising at the
guns and mail arms in the forenoon, and studying navigation and
seamanship, and sic like," answered Archy.

"Faith, that's what we've to do here," said Gerald.  "I came to sea to
enjoy some fun; but we've not had much of it yet, though, to be sure, we
lead a jolly life, take it all in all."

"The fun will come in time," observed Tom.  "We never can tell what will
turn up--perhaps before long--who knows?"

Murray was with Jack and Terence in the gun-room.

"Well, and how does old Babbicome get on?" asked Jack.

"He is amusing enough, but not altogether satisfactory as a commander,"
answered Murray.  "He and Haultaut are continually disputing, and he
never comes on deck without finding fault, at which Haultaut very
naturally sets up his back, and generally finishes by going below.  The
commander seldom attempts to carry on duty, and that only in fine
weather, without making some egregious blunder, and he always excuses
himself by observing, `I don't admire the new-fangled ways you young men
have of doing things.  We managed matters very differently on board the
old _Orion_, I can tell you,' or, as he walks up and down the deck
examining everything not in existence when he was last at sea, he
exclaims, `We'll change all this presently--it doesn't come up to my
notions; never saw thingumbobs fitted in this way before.'  We have
eaten most of his sheep, as it was necessary to kill them for want of
provender; but if the rest live till we reach Madeira, he will, I
conclude, lay in a fresh supply.  His pigs are, however, his great
delight.  He gloats over them, and spends an hour every day in currying
them as he would a horse.  They do him credit, for they are as sleek and
fat as poodles.  Though he avows that he is fond of pork, I suspect that
he will never bring himself to order one of them to be slaughtered.  To
his credit I must say that he does not swear at the men; he is not,
however, liked by them.  When a lieutenant he got the name of
`Jib-and-Foresail Jack,' and it sticks to him still.  When he had the
watch at night he would be always bothering them to alter sails, and it
was, they say, `Up jib,' and `Down jib,' and `Up foresail' and `Down
foresail' every minute.  He carries on much in the same way at present,
and seldom comes on deck without shaking his head as he looks aloft, and
shouting out `Another pull at the lee-braces, Mr Haultaut;--we always
trimmed sails properly on board the old _Orion_, sir,' or some such
complimentary remark to our much-enduring first.  The boatswain has a
dog--a favourite with the men--which goes by the no uncommon name of
Shakings.  The commander detests Shakings, who he unjustly declares
worries his sheep.  One evening poor Shakings fell overboard.  The men
were in despair, knowing that the commander would not dream of
heaving-to to pick him up.  I saw what had occurred, and was going to
intercede for the dog when I heard a voice from forward sing out, `One
of the captain's pigs overboard--there he goes astern.'  The commander
ran to the taffrail.  Just then there was a splash, and as I looked over
the side I saw one of his sleek pigs swimming as fast it could away from
the ship.  The commander soon caught sight of his favourite.  The ship
was hove-to, a boat lowered, and the boatswain, who jumped into her and
managed to pick up the dog before he reached the other animal, avowed
roundly that Shakings had jumped overboard to save the pig."

Jack and Terence laughed heartily at Murray's account of his commander,
given as it was with all the gravity imaginable.

"Well, we bear with him as best we can," he added, "and only hope that
he may ere long return to the bosom of his family, and to the congenial
pursuits which occupy his thoughts."

A light breeze springing up compelled Murray and his companions to
return to their ship.  That night during the middle watch Tom and
Gerald, who were fast asleep in their hammocks, were aroused by the
boatswain's shrill pipe and gruff voice bawling, "All hands on deck--
shorten sail!"  They turned out with the rest; most of the officers and
crew were on deck before they reached it.  The frigate, caught in a
squall, was heeling over till her lee-scuppers were under water, while
dark, foam-crested seas came rolling up, deluging her deck fore and aft.
The fore-topgallant-mast had been carried away, and was striking
against the fore-topsail, ready to sweep to destruction the hands who
were swarming on the yard; the main and mizen-topgallant-sheets had been
let fly, and the sails were flapping wildly in the gale; while the wind
whistling through the rigging--ropes slashing about--the seas dashing--
the bulkheads creaking--the masts and spars groaning, created a
perfectly deafening uproar.  Then came a clap like thunder--the foretack
had parted, and the block striking a seaman had carried him overboard.
To attempt to pick him up was useless--he must have been killed
instantaneously.  For a moment there was confusion; but the voice of the
captain, heard above all other sounds, quickly restored order.  While
the topmen were clearing away the wreck of the fore-topgallant-mast, the
most dangerous task, handing the main and mizen-topgallant-sails, and
reefing topsails, the courses were hauled up, and the frigate righting
flew forward on her course.  The sudden movement threw Tom and Gerald,
who had been holding on to the capstan, off their legs, and the next
moment, as she again heeled over to the gale sent them rolling into the
lee-scuppers, where they lay sprawling in the mass of water washing
across the deck--Gerald striking out with arms and legs under the belief
that he was overboard.

"Help! help!  Heave us a rope.  Where is it you are, Tom?  Don't be
after giving up--swim away," he cried out, as he got his head above the
water still rushing round him.

Tom was striking out lustily, as Gerald soon discovered by a kick he
received from his foot, of which he caught hold, supposing it to be the
end of a rope.  Tom struggled the more to release himself, having found
out that he was safe on deck.

"Let go, I say, or I shall never get on my legs," he exclaimed, kicking
away with all his might.

"Arrah now, I'll be drowned entirely," bawled Gerald, as the water again
washed over him.  His shouts fortunately at this juncture attracted the
attention of Jack, who, setting him and Tom on their legs, told them to
go below and turn into their hammocks, as they were not of the slightest
use on deck.

Drenched to the skin and crest-fallen, after holding on to each other
for half a minute and gazing round them at the dark tumultuous billows,
they did as they were bid, glad to strip off their wet clothes and
endeavour to get between the blankets.

"Sure I'm after feeling mighty quare," said Gerald, as he was trying to
scramble into his hammock, but it would not remain quiet as it was
accustomed to do.

"So do I," groaned Tom, "I didn't think anything could upset me, but
this is awful."

"Faith there's but little fun in it at all at all," cried Gerald, who
had succeeded in getting in and covering himself up.  "Will we all be
drowned, do you think?"

"I hope not; my brother Jack seems to consider that there's nothing in
it, and of course he's right--oh!"

The frigate gave a pitch, which made Tom feel as if he was going to be
shot feet foremost along the deck.

"Arrah, now, where will we be after going to?" cried Paddy, from his
hammock.

"Belay the slack of your jaws, youngsters," growled out old Higson, who
had just turned in after his watch, and being perfectly indifferent to
all the rolling and pitching, and the wild uproar of the elements,
wanted to go to sleep.

"If you make such a row, my colt and your backs will become acquainted
with each other before long."

"Why, man alive, it isn't we are making the row, sure it's the wind and
the big waves outside the ship," exclaimed Paddy.

The midshipmen's small voices were, however, much more disturbing to the
old mate than the sounds of the gale.  A threatening growl was the only
answer he condescended to make, as he had no intention to take the
trouble of turning out of his hammock to execute the vengeance he
promised.

Tom also by this time was dropping off to sleep, and Gerald shortly
after followed his example.  They ought properly to have kept the
morning watch, but they were not called till the hammocks were piped up.
They had then to turn out, feeling utterly unable to do anything but
sit on their chests and languidly clutch their wet clothes.  The two
marines acting as their servants at length came aft, looking as pale and
miserable as they were, and suggested that it would be wiser to get out
some dry things.  Dressing, after several pauses, was accomplished, and
washing having been dispensed with, they managed to reel into the berth.
There sat Higson, with coffee-pot in hand, and most of the other
oldsters holding on to cups and plates, the biscuit-boat and more
substantial viands being secured by puddings on the table.

"I've ordered some fat bacon especially for you fellows," said the
former, looking at Tom and Gerald; "it's the best thing for you."

"Oh, don't," they groaned in chorus.  "Horrible!"

"Why don't?  You'll never become sailors till you've eaten half a pound
apiece every morning, for at least a week."

The fat bacon was brought.  Tom tried to lift a piece to his mouth at
the end of his fork, but his hips curled, he could not have done it to
save his life.  Gerald essayed to do likewise with the same result.

They were not alone in their misery.  The assistant-surgeon, two clerks,
and another midshipman looked equally pale and miserable.

"Come, come, youngsters, munch away," said Hickson; "it's time to finish
breakfast."

"I wish to be a sailor," cried Tom, again manfully lifting the piece of
pork towards his loathing lips, but though his spirit was high his
feelings overcame him, and he bolted out of the berth, followed by
Gerald and several others, amid the laughter of the seasoned hands.

Tom's misfortunes did not end here, for the frigate giving a violent
roll he butted head foremost right between the legs of Mr Jennings, the
tall lieutenant of marines, who not being especially firm on them just
then, was upset in a moment.  The rest of the party, including McTavish,
the assistant-surgeon, escaping from the berth now came tumbling over
them, and there the whole lay stretched on the deck, kicking
frantically, as if knocked over by a dose of canister fired into their
midst.

The prostrate officer, utterly unable to rise, shouted for some time in
vain for assistance; at length his cries were heard by the corporal of
marines and two of his men, who hurrying aft to his rescue, hauled off
the superincumbent midshipmen and McTavish, and set Lieutenant Jennings,
foaming with indignation, on his legs.

"Beg pardon, sir, I didn't intend it," cried Tom; "I won't do it again."

But Tom was counting without his host, for at that instant the ship,
giving another roll, threw him once more against the luckless
lieutenant, who grasping at the corporal, over they all went, McTavish
and Gerald, who had been thrown against the other jollies, bringing them
again right over Lieutenant Jennings to the deck.

"This is unbearable," he spluttered out, "I'll have you youngsters put
under arrest.  Marines, can't you keep your legs?  Help me up.  Get off
me, all you, I say."

But as the marines could not help themselves, it could scarcely be
expected that they could assist their officer, still less could the
medico and the midshipmen.  The serjeant, however, hearing the uproar,
followed by a couple of his men, with a faint idea that a mutiny of some
sort had broken out, hurried aft, and with the assistance of Higson amid
the other oldsters who came out of the berth to see what was the matter,
quickly got the mass of struggling humanity disentangled and placed in
as upright position as circumstances would allow.  The lieutenant ought
really to have been much obliged to Tom, for his anger completely
overcame the nausea from which he had been suffering; but ungrateful,
like too many others, as Higson observed, he went back into the gunroom
demanding condign punishment on the head of his benefactor and his
messmates.  He was saved thereby from witnessing the effect of that
leveller of mankind, sea-sickness, on nearly half his men, who lay about
the deck unable to move, and only wishing that the ship would go down
and bring their misery to an end.  Jack soon soothed the temper of his
brother officer, who was a brave and really a good-natured man, and then
went to look after Tom and Gerald.  He advised them to lie down with
their eyes shut in the berth which was now vacated, the occupants being
called off to their respective duties, and the assistant-surgeon having
retired into the dispensary to concoct a specific against sea-sickness
of his own invention, which made him and those he persuaded to take it
ten times worse.

Soon afterwards all hands were piped on deck, and the sea-sick had to
appear as well as the rest.  The report had been made to the captain
that a man had been knocked overboard, but who was the sufferer was
uncertain.  The frigate was bravely breasting the foaming billows under
close-reefed topsails, ever and anon a hissing sea striking her bows and
its crest sweeping across the deck, the spray in dense showers coming
right aft, and rendering flushing coats and tarpaulins necessary to
those who desired dry skins.  Overhead the dark clouds flew rapidly by,
showing no abatement of the gale.  Far astern was the _Tudor_ with no
fore-topsail set, showing that either the mast or yard had been sprung
while it was impossible to say what other damage she might have
received, if caught unprepared as the frigate had been.  The muster-roll
was now called over.  A third of the crew had answered to their names.
"Richard Jenkins" was called.  It was the name of a fine young topman.
No Richard Jenkins replied; but he must have been aloft at the time the
fore-tack parted, and then two other topmen acknowledged that they had
been afraid some one had been knocked from the fore-topsail-yard; but
the thick darkness, and the wild flapping of the sail, had made them
uncertain.  The other names were called over.  No one answered to that
of Daniel Bacon.  He was rated as a landsman, and would have been
forward at the time.  Two, then, in the darkness of night had been cast
unnoticed into their ocean grave.  "Poor fellows! poor fellows!" uttered
by their messmates, was the only requiem they received--the contents of
their bags were sold; the purser wrote D against their names, which
before the gale was over had ceased to be mentioned.

The slight excitement and the fresh air on deck had kept the midshipmen
up, but on going below they felt more miserable than ever.  Utterly
unable to stand they threw themselves on their chests, half wishing that
they had gone overboard instead of poor Jenkins and Bacon.  More than
once they were hove off, but they managed to crawl on again, and cling
to the lids in a way sick midshipmen alone could have done.  Adair, on
going round the lower deck, found them in this condition.

"Uncle Terence, dear, when is it all going to be over?" groaned out
Gerald.  "There's mighty little fun in this same."

"Only the ordinary seasoning youngsters have to go through," answered
Adair; "however, we'll see what can be done for you."

Tom, whose head hung over the end of his chest, with a kid which had
been brought him under his nose, was past speaking.  Adair ordered their
hammocks to be slung, and being assisted in, they lay helpless till the
gale was over.  Let no one despise the two midshipmen, although their
messmates might have laughed at them.  Their experiences were those of
many other brave officers, Nelson included; and they had not a few
companions in their misery among those unaccustomed to the
tumblifications of the ocean.  At length, the wind going down, the sea
became tolerably smooth, and turning out, they went on deck by Adair's
advice to enjoy a few mouthfuls of fresh air.  The effect on their
appetites was such as to astonish even old Higson by the way in which
they devoured the pea-soup and boiled beef and potatoes, a junk of fat
pork even not coming amiss, washed down by stiff glasses of grog, which,
in consideration of their recent sufferings, he allowed them to take.

"Well, youngsters, you are filling up your lockers with a vengeance," he
remarked.

"Faith, it's no wonder when they were cleaned out three days ago, and
not a scrap the size of a sixpenny-piece stowed away in them since,"
answered Gerald, who with Tom was eyeing lovingly a huge suet dumpling
just placed smoking hot on the table.

"Any duff, Rogers?" asked Higson; "I doubt if you've room for much."

"I think I could just manage a slice to begin with, and then I'll try
what more I can do," answered Tom.

A huge slice was handed to him, and another to Gerald.  "You shall have
your next helping from the left side, youngsters," said the caterer,
with a wink at the rest, who all thereon begged for plenty.  Tom and
Gerald applied themselves to the duff, which they found rather
appetising than otherwise; but when they looked up expecting to get
their second slices, an empty dish with Higson's face grinning beyond
it, alone met their view.  However, they agreed that they had dined very
well considering, and from that moment, though others occasionally
knocked up, they were never off duty from sea-sickness.

CHAPTER THREE.

MADEIRA SIGHTED--MISFORTUNES OF COMMANDER BABBICOME--A RIDE ON SHORE--
NAVAL CAVALRY CHARGE DOWN A HILL AND OVERTURN SOME DIGNITARIES OF CHURCH
AND STATE--A PLEASANT VISIT OF APOLOGY--SUDDENLY ORDERED TO SEA--AN
EXPEDITION TO BRING OFF "WASH CLOTHES."

A few days after the storm was over Madeira was made; to the eastward of
it, as the frigate sailed on, there came in sight a small island called
the Desertas.  Tom, wishing to show that he was wide awake, reported a
large ship coming round the Desertas.  He was, however, only laughed at,
for his supposed ship turned out to be a rock of a needle form, rising
several hundred feet out of the sea, and would have been as Higson told
him, if it had been a ship, bigger than the famed _Mary Dunn_, of Diver,
whose flying jibboom swept the weathercock off Calais church steeple,
while her spanker-boom end only just shaved clear of the white cliffs of
old England.  The scenery of Madeira, as they sailed along its shore,
was pronounced very grand and beautiful; its lofty cliffs rising
perpendicularly out of the blue ocean with a fringe of surf at their
base, and vine-clad mountains towering up into the clear sky beyond
them; here and there a small bay appearing, forming the mouth of a
ravine, its sides covered with orange groves and dotted with whitewashed
cottages, and a little church in their midst.  Rounding the southern end
of the island, the frigate came to an anchor in the bay of Funchal, the
town in a thin line of houses stretching along the shore before them,
and a wild mountainous region beyond, with country houses or quintas
scattered over the lower ground, and high above it the white church of
Nossa Senhora do Monte, glistening in the sun.

An important object had attracted Captain Hemming to Madeira.  It was to
ship a couple of casks of its famed wine for the admiral on the Jamaica
station, as well as one for himself, and he took the opportunity of
fitting a new topgallant-mast.  A few hours afterwards the _Tudor_ came
in and dropped her anchor close to the frigate.  She had evidently
suffered severely in the gale.  Her fore-topsail-yard was so badly
sprung that sail could not be carried on it.  Her mizen-topmast was
gone, her starboard bulwarks forward stove in, one of her boats carried
away; besides which she had received other damages.  The sea which had
injured her bulwarks had swept along her deck, but everything had been
secured, without doing further harm, and fortunately no one had been
lost.

Commander Babbicome at once came on board the _Plantagenet_ to pay his
respects to Captain Hemming.  He was a short, stout man, with a red face
and thick neck, betokening a plethoric habit.  After having been on
shore for some years he had been appointed to the _Tudor_ through the
influence of a relative, who had actively supported the ministry in
electioneering matters.  Probably never much of a sailor, though he
might have been as brave as a lion, such experience as he possessed
being that of days gone by, he had an especial horror of all new-fangled
notions.  He laid all the blame of the disasters his ship had met with
to the Dockyard riggers.  "They don't do things as they used to do,
that's very clear, or I shouldn't have lost my mizen-topmast!" he
exclaimed, while pacing the frigate's deck with angry steps; "I doubt
whether in this hole of a place we can get our damages repaired."

"I'll send my carpenters on board, so that you may be independent of the
natives.  How long will it take to set you to rights?"

"Three or four days I should suppose," was the answer.

"Well, I will remain for that time, and we will sail together," said
Captain Hemming.

It was quickly known on board both ships that they were not to leave for
some days, and parties were made up to go on shore the next morning, and
take a ride to the Corral and other places of interest.

A merry set of gun-room officers and midshipmen left the ships soon
after breakfast, Jack and Adair, with Lieutenant Jennings leading.
Murray could not go, but Archy Gordon got leave; his services, as he
told his friends, not being absolutely required.  They wisely landed in
shore-boats, thus escaping a drenching from the surf, and were hauled up
the shingly beach by a number of shouting, bawling, dark-skinned
natives, who handed them over to an equally vociferous crowd of
muleteers and donkey boys, assembled in readiness with their beasts of
high and low degree, to carry travellers up the mountain.  Amid the
wildest hubbub produced by the shouting, wraggling, jabbering of the
owners of the beasts, each man praising the qualities of his own animal
as he dragged it to the front, the naval party managed to mount; those
who could secure them, on horses, the rest on mules; donkeys being
despised, though attempts were made to thrust the midshipmen on them.
The tall lieutenant of marines had not secured his horse, which he chose
for its height, without a desperate struggle.  A band of natives rushing
on him, one had hoisted his right leg across a mule, another shoving a
donkey's rein into his hands, while a third adroitly brought a pony
under his left leg, while kicking in the air; but the owner of the high
horse saw that his eye had been fixed on it, and being a big fellow came
to the rescue, and offering his shoulder as a rest, enabled the
lieutenant to spring clear of the mule and other beasts on to the one he
had chosen.

"Forward, my lads," he shouted in triumph, as he galloped to the front.
Amid an increased chorus of strange-sounding shrieks and cries, the
party, shouting and laughing themselves almost as loudly as their
attendants, set forward.

"Whoo! whoo!" sung out all the assembled natives in chorus, when the
muleteers, catching hold of the tails of their respective animals with
their left hands, began to urge them on by digging into their flanks the
points of the short goads held in their right hands.

"Arra burra! cara! cara cavache! caval!" screamed out the natives, and
on went the steeds, kicking and clattering through the pebble-paved
streets, well nigh sending some of their less experienced riders over
their heads, and dispersing to the right and left every one they
encountered.

"I say, we won't be after having these fellows at our heels all the
way," exclaimed Adair.

"Of course not," said Jack; "it would be a horrid bore."

"Be off with ye, now," cried Adair, to the natives; Jack and the rest
giving similar orders; but the muleteers, in the first place, did not
understand what they said, and, in the second, knew better than to let
go, as without the usual tail-pulling and goading, the beasts would not
have budged a foot.

"We shall be quit of yer, ye spalpeens, when we get to the lull," cried
Adair, at which the swarthy natives grinned, and would have grinned more
had they comprehended his remark.  Quickly passing through the town, up
the steep sides of the mountain, they clattered between high stone
walls, crowned by vines, geraniums, and numberless flowering plants,
while orange groves were seen here and there through various openings,
with pretty quintas nestling amid them; or when they turned their heads
glimpses were caught of the town and bay, and the blue ocean.

They had not gone far when they met an Englishman on horse-back, who,
pulling up, introduced himself as the merchant about to ship the
admiral's wine, and invited them to stop at his quinta, on their way
down from the Corral.

"With all the pleasure in life," answered Adair; "and will you have the
kindness, sir, to tell these noisy fellows, pulling at our horses'
tails, that we can dispense with their company?"

"It would be far from a kindness if I did, for you would find that your
beasts would not move ahead without them," said the merchant, laughing,
and directing the arrieros to stop at his house on their return, he bade
the merry party good morning.

Up and up they went, till Gerald declared that they should reach the
moon if they continued on much longer.  At length they found themselves
on the brink of an enormous chasm, some thousand feet in depth, upwards
of two miles in length, and half-a-mile in width, while before them a
precipitous wall of rocks towered up towards the blue heavens, broken
into numberless craggy pinnacles, amid which the clouds careered
rapidly, although far below they lay in thin strata, unmoved by a
breeze.

"Grand! magnificent!" and similar exclamations broke from the party.
They pushed on to the end of the ravine, where it almost closes; a
natural bridge of rocks existing over it to the opposite side; another
much broader ravine opening out beyond.  Returning by the way they came,
the party gazed down upon Funchal and their ships in the harbour.

"Faith, they look for all the world like two fleas floating with their
legs in the air," exclaimed Adair; "this is a mighty big mountain, there
is no doubt about that."

Their keen appetites and the recollection of the merchant's promised
repast made them hurry on their downward way.  They were not
disappointed either in the substantials, or in the delicacies, oranges,
and grapes, with other fruits and wines provided for their
entertainment.

"I am expecting your captains and a few grandees and others to dinner,
or I would have pressed you to stay," said their kind host, as he wished
them good-bye; "I hope you will come to-morrow, though, and remember
that my house is at your orders as long as you stay."

Most of the naval heroes had imbibed a sufficient quantity of the
merchant's generous liquid to raise their spirits, even somewhat above
their usual high level, and Adair took Gerald to task for not having
refused the last few glasses offered, though he declared that he himself
was as sober as an archbishop.

"And so, faith, am I, Uncle Terence," cried Gerald; "to prove that same
I'll race ye down to the bottom of this hit of a hill, and whoever comes
in first shall decide the question.  Now off we go.  `Wallop ahoo! ahoo!
Erin-go-bragh!'"  And urging on his steed, of which his arriero had
long since let go, as had the others of their animals on descending the
mountains, away he started; Adair shouting to him to stop, from the fear
that he would break his neck, followed, however, at the same headlong
speed, giving vent, in his excitement, to the same shout of "Wallop
ahoo! ahoo!  Erin-go-bragh!"

The example was infectious, the marine officer even catching it, and off
set lieutenants and surgeons, and midshipmen and clerks, as if
scampering away from an avalanche to save their lives, instead of
running a great risk of losing them.  In vain their attendants shouted
to them to stop, and went bounding after them.  The animals kept well
together in a dense mass--a regular stampedo--Terence and his nephew
keeping the lead.  To check themselves had they tried it was impossible,
without the certainty of bringing their steeds to the ground, and taking
flying leaps over their heads.  Suddenly there appeared before them a
palanquin--a dignified ecclesiastic seated in it--attended by footmen,
while further on were seen several cavaliers, some in military uniforms,
with a couple of naval cocked hats rising in their midst.  That instant
had the cry of "Erin-go-bragh!" escaped from the excited Irishman's
throat.  "Avast! haul up for your life, boy," shouted Adair, on
beholding the spectacle before him.  "Starboard your helm, or you'll be
over the padre."

Gerald did try to pull up with might and main, but it was too late, his
steed stumbled, shooting him as from a catapult, right on the top--not
of a humble padre, but of a bishop of the holy Roman Empire, when his
floundering steed upsetting the leading bearer, bishop and midshipman
rolled over together, the former shouting for help, the latter
apologising.  The matter did not stop here.  Though Adair managed to
clear the bishop, after knocking over one of his lordship's footmen, his
steed bolted into the midst of the cavaliers behind, coming full tilt,
as ill-luck would have it, against Commander Babbicome of the _Tudor_,
who, in spite of his boasted horsemanship, was incontinently capsized,
while, before he could recover himself, or his companions rescue him,
down came thundering on them the rest of the hilarious cavalcade.
Several of the riders, including Tom, attempting to rein in their
animals, were sent flying over the prostrate bishop, among the foremost
ranks of the party ascending the mountain, while the rest dashing on
overthrew the military governor and several other personages of
distinction, till Jack, who had from the first reined in his steed, and
was behind the rest, could see nothing but a confused mass of kicking
legs, and cocked hats, and naval caps, and here and there heads and
backs and arms, with a shaven crown in their midst, blocking up the
narrow roadway, shouts, cries, shrieks and execrations issuing from
among them.  The liberated horses had dashed on, leaving their riders to
their fate.  This contributed considerably to lessen the difficulties of
the case.  The drivers coming up, Jack dismounted, and giving his horse
to one of them ran to assist the bishop and his fallen friends.  The
midshipmen quickly picked themselves up, very much frightened at what
they had done, but not a bit the worse for their tumble.  The
ecclesiastic was next placed on his legs, with robes somewhat rumpled,
but happily without contusions or bones broken, though dreadfully
alarmed and inclined to be somewhat angry at the indignity he had
suffered.  Jack endeavoured to apologise with the few words of
Portuguese he could command, Tom and Gerald assisting him to the best of
their power, though their united vocabulary failed to convey their
sentiments.  Meantime, the dismounted cavaliers behind had regained
their saddles, as had the gunroom officers and young gentlemen who had
tilted against them their feet.  Lieutenant Jennings and Terence had
scraped clear without losing their seats, but nearly all the rest had
been unhorsed.  Commander Babbicome was the only one who had suffered
damage, and he had received a bloody nose by a blow from his horse's
head, but he was infinitely the most irate.  "It is a disgrace to the
service that such things should be allowed," he exclaimed.  "Captain
Hemming, I shall demand a court-martial on your officers, or an ample
apology.  Mine know how to respect their commander."  At that moment his
eye fell on his own purser and surgeon, with two or three others who
were trying to get by close to the wall on either side.  "Ah!  I see;
they shall hear more about it, they may depend on that!"

"Lieutenant Adair will be ready to make you an ample apology, I can
answer for that, and you know that naval officers are not always the
best of horsemen, of which we have just had an example," said Captain
Hemming, who, though annoyed at what had happened, wished to soothe the
feelings of the angry commander.

The Portuguese officers ascertaining that the bishop was unhurt took
their own overthrow very coolly.  "It's the way of those young English
naval officers," they observed, with a shrug of the shoulders.
"Paciencia!"

With bows and further apologies the two parties separated; the one to
partake of the banquet prepared for them, the other to make the best of
their way into the town.

"Uncle Terence, you bate me, I'll acknowledge, but if it hadn't been for
the fat bishop I'd have won," exclaimed Gerald, as they met Adair not
very comfortable in his mind, coming back to look for them.

"We shall all get into a precious row, ye young spalpeen, in consequence
of your freak," answered Adair.  "Why didn't you pull up at once when I
told you?"

"Pull up was it ye say, Uncle Terence?" cried the irrepressible young
Irish boy.  "Faith now, that's a good joke.  Didn't I pull till I
thought my arms would be after coming off, but my baste pulled a mighty
dale harder."

"Really that nephew of mine will be getting into serious difficulties if
he does not learn to restrain the exuberance of his spirits," said
Terence quite seriously to Jack, as they rode on together.  "When I was
a youngster I never went as far as he does."

"As to that, we are apt to forget what we were, and what we did, in the
days of our boyhood," answered Jack, laughing heartily.

"You certainly had a wonderful aptitude for getting out of scrapes when
you had tumbled into them.  However, as it is wiser to keep clear of
them altogether, you will do well to give your nephew a lecture on the
subject, and I hope that he will benefit by it.  I intend to bestow some
good advice on Tom on the subject.  Many a promising lad injures his
future prospects by thoughtlessness.  Though we were not always as wise
as Solomon, we were invariably sober fellows, or we should probably have
come to grief like so many others we have known."

"Faith, yes, it was that last magnum of Madeira floored the bishop and
Commander Babbicome, no doubt about it," observed Adair, with a twinkle
in his eye.

By this time they had reached the beach, when the arrieros having
claimed their horses, not forgetting a liberal payment for their use,
the party returned in shore-boats to the ships.

The next morning Commander Babbicome's anger was somewhat cooled down,
though to vindicate his outraged dignity, as he could not punish the
_Plantagenet's_ midshipmen, he stopped all leave from the _Tudor_.
Captain Hemming considering that the matter should not be altogether
overlooked, took Tom and Gerald on shore to apologise to the bishop, who
instead of being angry, laughed heartily, and gave them a basket full of
sweet cakes and fruit, for which, though it was a gentle hint that he
looked upon them as children, they were very much obliged to him, and
voted him a first-rate old fellow.

When the midshipmen of the _Tudor_ heard of it they wanted to go and
apologise also, but as none of them unfortunately had tumbled over his
lordship, they could not find a sufficient excuse for paying him a
visit, and though they sent a deputation on board the _Plantagenet_ to
put in a claim for a share, old Higson declined to entertain it.

Captain Hemming afterwards went on board the _Tudor_, and having told
Commander Babbicome of the kind way the bishop had behaved, suggested
that it was more Christian-like to forgive than revenge an insult even
if premeditated, while that of which he complained certainly was not,
and finally induced him to promise that he would say no more about the
matter.

The repairs of the _Tudor_ were nearly completed.

"A man-of-war steamer coming in from the eastward," reported the
signal-midshipman to Mr Cherry.

"She has made her number the _Pluto_," he shortly added.

The _Pluto's_ huge paddle-wheels soon brought her into the bay, when the
lieutenant commanding her came on board the _Plantagenet_, with
despatches for Captain Hemming.

"It was thought possible that we might catch you here as we have had a
good deal of calm weather, and our wheels carry us along rather faster
than your sails under such circumstances," observed the lieutenant, who
knew that his tea-kettle was held in no great respect.

"Ah, yes, steam is useful for despatch-boats," answered the captain, in
a slightly sarcastic tone, as he opened the despatches.

He was to direct the _Plantagenet_ and _Tudor_ to proceed without delay
to Trinidad, and thence to go on to Jamaica, calling at the larger
Caribbean Islands, belonging to Great Britain, on their way.  There was
an idea that the blacks were in an unsettled state of mind, and that the
appearance of a couple of men-of-war would tend to keep them in order.

Instantly the news became known there was a general bustle on board the
frigate.  Washed clothes had to be got off and fresh provisions
obtained.  She was to sail at daylight the next morning, and the _Tudor_
was to follow as soon as ready.

"What are we to do for our washed clothes?" exclaimed Higson.  "Mother
Lobo wasn't to bring them on board till to-morrow evening, and if we
send to her the chances are she doesn't get the message or doesn't
understand it if she does."

"Sure, the best thing will be to go for them, then," exclaimed Gerald.
"Does any one know where she lives?"

"Well thought of, youngster," said Higson; "I know where she hangs out,
to the west of the town, beyond the old convent, some way up the hill,
but as I can't make her understand a word I say, even if I was to go
there, I should not much forward matters."

"But I can talk Portuguese like a native," exclaimed Norris, a
midshipman who had been on board a ship stationed at Lisbon for several
months, and who, professing to be a great linguist, was always ready to
act as interpreter.  Whether he understood the replies of the natives or
not, he never failed to translate them.  It was reported of him that
once having accompanied the first lieutenant on shore to get a new
topmast made, he asked the Portuguese carpenter at the dockyard,--"In
how many dayso will you make a new topmasto for mio fregato?"

"Nao intende," was the answer.

"`Not in ten days,' he says, sir," reported Norris to the lieutenant.

"Why, we can make one on board in less than half that time.  Lazy
rascals, we will have nothing to do with them," exclaimed the
lieutenant, his confidence in the midshipman as a linguist unshaken.

On the present occasion Norris's services were, however, accepted, and
all in the berth who could get leave agreed to go.  Some of the
_Tudor's_ midshipmen who were on board the frigate offered to bring on
the things if they were not ready.

"No! no! thank ye," answered Higson, cocking his eye, "I've a notion
that clean linen would be plentiful aboard the corvette, and by the time
it reached us it would be ready again for the laundress."

He, however, accepted their offer to accompany the expedition.  As the
wind was light and off shore they got leave to take the jolly-boat,
being able easily to land in her.  Under the guidance of Higson they
made their way up the hill to Senhora Lobo's abode.  A stream ran near
it, on the banks of which half-a-dozen women were kneeling battering
away, fine as well as coarse articles of clothing on some rough granite
slabs, occasionally rubbing them as a change, with might and main on the
hard stones, singing at the same time as they rubbed, or stopping
occasionally to laugh and chatter.  Among them was discovered Senhora
Lobo or Mother Lobo, as Higson designated her, battering away harder
than anybody at one of his shirts, as an example to her handmaidens.
She rose from her knees, twisting tightly the dripping garment, not to
lose time, as she recognised the young gentlemen, when Norris for a
wonder made her comprehend more by signs than words, that as the ship
was about to sail they must have their clothes immediately.

"Amanaa? to-morrow?" asked Senhora Lobo.

"No, no, `esta noite,' to-night," answered Norris vehemently.

The washerwoman consulted with her attendants.  Piles of wet linen lay
on the ground, but a quantity had not yet seen the water.  After a
considerable amount of jabbering and talking, it was agreed that the
task could be accomplished.  The sun was hot, and the gentlemen must not
be very particular about the ironing.  While one half of the damsels set
to work again in the stream, the rest, headed by the mistress, began to
hang up the washed articles, a young girl being despatched apparently
for further assistance.  This looked like being in earnest, and the dame
assured Norris that the things should be ready by ten o'clock.  How to
spend the intermediate time was the question, and a ramble into the
country was agreed on.  Had they been wise they would have secured some
mules or donkeys to convey the clothes to the beach.  They had, however,
undertaken to carry the bags themselves, and were resolved heroically to
persevere.  They set off on their ramble, Tom and Gerald, and the other
youngsters, skylarking as usual.  They expected to fall in with some
venda, or wine-shop, where they could obtain the refreshment they should
require before returning, and Dick Needham was sent back with an order
for the boat to come for them at the appointed hour.  After rambling to
a considerable distance, they began to feel hungry, but in vain they
searched for a venda.  Fortunately at this juncture they fell in with an
Englishman on horseback, to whom they made their wants known.

"Come along with me," he answered; "I will show you a place where you
can get some food."

Turning to the right, he led them through a gateway, along a walk
bordered by orange-trees, myrtles, geraniums, ever-blossoming
rose-trees, and numberless other plants and flowers, up to a
bungalow-style of building, from the verandah of which a fine view could
be enjoyed over the bay, with the town in the distance, and the hills on
either side.

"This looks like a regular first-class boarding-house; we shall have to
pay handsomely," whispered Tom to Gerald; "but never mind, we shall
enjoy ourselves, and I am terribly sharp-set!"

"Make yourselves at home, gentlemen," said their guide; "supper will
soon be on the table."

"Let's have it as soon as possible, that's all, and pray tell the
landlord that we shall be perfectly content if we can have a few cold
fowls and a ham, or eggs and bacon, and bread and cheese, and some
bottles of country wine--we are in no ways particular!" exclaimed
Higson, throwing himself on a garden-seat and producing his cigar-case.
"Will any of you fellows have a smoke?"

When the case was opened but one cigar remained.  Their guide observed
it.

"Never mind, I dare say I can find some in the house," he said, and soon
returned with a box full.  He offered it round.

"What do they cost?" asked Gerald, who indulged in a smoke sometimes,
when out of Adair's sight, though his slender purse forbade cigars.

"Never mind," was the answer; "it shall be put down in the bill."

The midshipman took a cigar, when a black servant appearing with a dish
of charcoal embers, it was lighted and pronounced excellent.  Shortly
afterwards several ladies came out of the house and entered into
conversation with the young officers, who took them to be guests staying
at the inn.  The time sped pleasantly by till supper was announced.  The
ladies accompanied them in, the oldest taking one end of the table,
while their guide sat at the other.

"He's mine host after all!" whispered Tom to Gerald.  "He knows,
however, how to look after his guests properly."

There might not have been quite as many cold chickens on the table as
Higson would have desired, but ample amends was made by the variety of
other good things and the abundance of fruit, cakes, and wine.

"Capital Madeira, this of yours, landlord!  Haven't tasted better
anywhere in the island!" exclaimed Higson, smacking his lips.  "I'll
trouble you to pass the bottle."

"I am glad you approve of it, sir," said mine host, doing as he was
requested.  "There are several other qualities, but I always put the
best before my guests."

Altogether the young gentlemen enjoyed themselves particularly, and