n't bear us to talk about it. Nearly drownded
'e was. All but, and a barge came along and shoved a boat-hook right
through the seat of his trowsis an' saved 'im. Stand up an' show 'em
your trowsis, George."

"If I do stand up," said George, in a voice broken with rage, "it'll be
a bad day for you, my lad."

"_Ain't_ he modest?" said the cook. "Don't it do you good to 'ear 'im.
He was just like that when they got him ashore and the crowd started
patting him."

"Didn't like it?" queried the mate.

"Well, they overdid it a little, p'r'aps," admitted the cook; "one old
chap wot couldn't get near patted 'is 'ead with 'is stick, but it was
all meant in the way of kindness."

"I'm proud of you, George," said the skipper heartily.

"We all are," said the mate.

George grunted.

"I'll write for the medal for him," said the skipper. "Were there any
witnesses, cook? ''

"Heaps of 'em," said the other; "but I gave 'em 'is name and address.
'Schooner _John Henry_, of Limehouse, is 'is home,' I ses, and George
Cooper 'is name'."

"You talked a damned sight too much," said the hero, "you lean,
lop-sided son of a tinker."

"Theres 'is modesty ag'in," said the cook, with a knowing smile. "'E's
busting with modesty, is George. You should ha' seen 'im when a chap
took 'is fortygraph."

"Took his what?" said the skipper, becoming Interested.

"His fortygraph," said the cook. "'E was a young chap what was taking
views for a noose-paper. 'E took George drippin' wet just as 'e come out
of the water, 'e took him arter 'e 'ad 'is face wiped, an' 'e took 'im
when 'e was sitting up swearing at a man wot asked 'im whether 'e was
very wet."

"An' you told 'im where I lived, and what I was," said George, turning
on him and shaking his fist. "You did."

"I did," said the cook simply. "You'll live to thank me for it, George."

The other gave a dreadful howl, and rising from the deck, walked forward
and went below, giving a brother seaman who patted his shoulder as
he passed a blow in the ribs, which nearly broke them. Those on deck
exchanged glances.

"Well, I don't know," said the mate, shrugging his shoulders; "seems to
me if I'd saved a fellow-critter's life I shouldn't mind hearing about
it."

"That's what you think," said the skipper, drawing himself up a little.
"If ever you do do anything of the kind perhaps you'll feel different
about it."

"Well, I don't see how you should know any more than me," said the
other.