s ever," thought Gerald, as he remarked
the consequential air with which the old mate walked the deck and
shouted to the men. The lately trim corvette was much knocked about;
besides the loss of her main-topmast, many of her other spars had been
wounded, her sails riddled with shot, while her bulwarks and deck had
been torn open in several places, one of her guns disabled, and most of
her boats damaged.

The first person he met who had time to exchange a word with him was the
purser. "What, Tracy," he exclaimed, "you still in the land of the
living! I had written D at the end of your name; I shall have the
trouble of crossing it out again. We were going to put up your effects
for sale to-morrow."

"Much obliged to you, sir," answered Gerald, "and must apologise for
giving you so much trouble. Were Mr Foley's effects to be sold at the
same time? I suppose Beater or Crowhurst expect to get promoted in his
place."

"Beater has got all the promotion he ever will, poor fellow," answered
Mr Cheeseparings; "he was the only officer killed in our late action,
though we had six men wounded. But Crowhurst is looking forward to get
his lieutenancy to a certainty."

"I concluded that he would do so; but as Mr Foley happens to be alive,
he will be rather disappointed," said Gerald.

"Dear me! has he escaped too?" exclaimed the purser. "Well, though I
haven't to sell his effects, I really am glad; and so, I am sure, will
be Billhook and Mac."

"If you'll excuse me, sir, I'll go and communicate the pleasing
intelligence to Crowhurst, who will, I hope, rejoice as much as the
gun-room officers," said Gerald. Directly afterwards he met Nat Kiddle.
"Come along," he said, "and see me pull old Crowhurst down a peg or
two."

The two midshipmen met Crowhurst coming aft. "What, youngster, are you
alive?" he exclaimed. "I shall have some work for you and Kiddle
directly."

"Yes, old fellow, I'm alive and well," answered Gerald, "and will return
to my duty as soon as the commander or one of the lieutenants orders
me."

"Let me tell you, youngster, I don't choose to be called old fellow, and
as I am acting lieutenant, you will obey my orders."

"Certainly," said Gerald, "till Mr Foley returns, which I expect he
will do this evening."

"What--you don't mean to say so!--did Mr Foley escape with you?"
exclaimed the old mate, his countenance falling, and his whole air
changing in a moment. Gerald then, with infinite satisfa