id Rodd, laughing. "You shan't be
mastheaded for that;" and he clapped the young officer merrily on the
back.

The stay would have been longer, but the darkness was coming on fast;
still it had been long enough for all to become the best of friends, and
when the two officers came on deck it was to find the two crews engaged
in a hearty game of repartee, the schooner's men casting jokes down into
the boat, and the man-of-war's men hurling them back.

"Yes, a very smart crew, Captain Chubb," said the lieutenant, "but if it
hadn't been for the doctor's papers here, we should have been obliged to
lighten you of about half-a-dozen, for you know you have no business to
have such men as this whilst his Majesty runs short."

Just then the two lads were talking together hard.

"Oh, don't you take any notice of that, Harding. Cocky, you called it.
You should drop that; it's too schoolboy-like. You know a fellow may be
only a midshipman, still the ship's roll does call him a man, and when a
fellow's an officer in command of a lot of sailors, he's obliged to put
it on a bit, else he'd never be able to keep them in their places."

"Yes, I see," said Rodd.

"That's right; and before I go I just want to say it was very thoughtful
of you to promise that the lads shouldn't have any drink. I got into
several rows when I was young and green, and went ashore with boats'
crews. They used to try on all sorts of dodges to get away to the
public-house. I say, get that uncle of yours to stop about here fishing
for a bit. I want to get you aboard the _Di_ and spend an evening with
us at the mess. Do. I shall get to like you."

"All right; I will try," said Rodd. "It wouldn't be the first time I've
been aboard a man-of-war."

"Eh? Where?"

"Plymouth harbour."

"Oh yes, I forgot. That's where you live when you are at home. Why
don't you join altogether? You are just cut out for a middy."

"Couldn't leave uncle. Going to be a naturalist."

"A what?"

"Scientific gentleman."

"But serve the King!"

"What, and be sent down here hunting after the blackbirding
blackguards?"

"Pshaw! That's not really what we are here for; only if we see a
suspicious-looking craft we board her."

"Then what are you here for?"

"King's business. Mum. Mustn't say."

"Now, Mr Lindon! Good-evening, Captain Chubb; and good-evening,
doctor. Glad to have met you, sir, and I hope you won't put me down in
your black books as _homo du