me.
You shall make a good meal, and then have a sleep, ready for to-morrow's
work. Hah!" cried the little lieutenant; "that ought to mean a good
day's business, Mr Raystoke, and promotion to better jobs than this."

"I hope so, sir," said Archy, with his mouth full.

"No use to hope," said the lieutenant dismally. "I'm like poor old
Gurr; they don't consider me fit for service in a crack ship; and when I
make my report, and send in my despatches, and ask for an appointment, I
shall be told I do my work too well on this important service, and that
they cannot spare so valuable an officer from the station. Gammon, Mr
Raystoke, gammon! It's all because I'm so little and so fat."

Archy was silent, for he knew it was the truth, and that such a quaint
little fellow did not somehow quite command the men's respect.

Half an hour after, he was sleeping heavily, with the delightful
sensation of being undressed and between blankets, to wake up with a
start in the morning, by hearing Ram coming to the trap-door.

No, it was a noise on deck; and he sprang up and rapidly washed and
dressed, to hurry up to see what was going on.

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.

As the midshipman reached the deck, it was to find that there was a
light mist on the water, and that the lieutenant was at the side with
Gurr, where they were watching a boat coming in from seaward.

The cutter was back not far from her old moorings, and the great cliffs
of the shore were dimly visible.

"Lobster-boat, sir," said Gurr, as Archy came behind them.

"Never mind! I'll overhaul her. I'm going to be suspicious of
everything now. Take the boat, and--Ah, to be sure. Mr Raystoke, take
the boat, and see what those fellows mean. They're making straight for
the ledge, and there is no one to buy lobsters there."

"Ay, ay, sir!"

That familiar sea-going reply seemed to ring out of the lad's throat,
and afforded him a pure feeling of delight. No more groping about in
the darkness, biting his nails, and feeling heart-sick with despondency,
but the full delight of freedom and an active life.

No lad ever sprang to his work with more alacrity, and, as he leaped
into the boat, and the men dropped their oars, there was a hearty look
of welcome in each smiling face.

"She has just gone into the mist there, Mr Raystoke," said the
lieutenant; "but she's making straight for that ledge, and you can't
miss her. One moment. If the men seem all right and honest as