ers and
the scientific fittings of portions of the hold which were prepared
under my instructions when I started upon the voyage. I don't think,
sir, you will find any accommodation has been made for the reception of
a black living cargo of those poor unfortunate objects of humanity in
whom a certain vile nefarious traffic is carried on. Captain Chubb,
pray take this gentleman below and show him everything he desires."

"Oh," said the lieutenant sharply, "if this is so, Mr Rodson--"

"Dr Robson, at your service," said the owner of the name, glancing
sharply at his nephew, with a faint smile upon his lips, for at the
utterance by the lieutenant of the syllable _Rod_ the boy had started
violently.

As the doctor spoke he took out his pocket-book, drew forth a card, and
held it between two fingers in doctor's fashion towards the officer.

"Humph! MD, Plymouth. Oh, well, Dr Robson, I hope to find that I have
been labouring under a mistake;" and he raised his hand to his cocked
hat. "But I have my duty to do."

"Don't apologise, sir," said the doctor, who had changed as in a moment
from the sturdy naturalist into the urbane medical man. "I quite see
your necessity for guarding against imposture. Pray proceed."

The lieutenant nodded sharply, and leaving his guard of a couple of
marines at the gangway, and the boat's crew ready to spring up the side
at the slightest alarm, he followed the skipper to the cabin hatch, the
doctor hesitating as if in doubt for a moment or two, and then following
deliberately down the cabin stairs.

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

THE KING'S MIDDY.

Rodd, full of excitement, was burning to follow too and see what he
looked upon as the officer's discomfiture; but there was that middy, who
seemed to be left in command of the marines, and he felt a peculiar
sensation which completely mastered him, filling him as it did with a
desire to have what he afterwards called a good fall out with that
fellow, who seemed to make him metaphorically set up his feathers all
round his neck and go at him as a strange young cockerel of a different
breed who had suddenly appeared in the poultry-yard where he dwelt.

So Rodd stayed on deck, thrust his hands into his pockets, ignored the
presence of the middy, and with something of a strut marched up to the
two marines in the gangway, whistling softly the while, gave each a
friendly nod, examined their grounded arms and their stiff uniform with
its abundant