id the cook, who was a plain creature.

"Don't you ever wash yourself, you dirty pig?" said Henry elegantly. "I
s'pose you think doin' the cookin' keeps you clean, though."

The cook wrung his hands, and, unconscious of plagiarism, told Sam he'd
be 'ung for 'im.

"Me and the mate are goin' for a little stroll, Sam," observed the youth
as he struggled into his jersey. "Keep your eyes open, and don't get
into mischief. You can give Slushy a 'and with the sorsepans if you've
got nothin' better to do. Don't stand about idle."

The appearance of the mate impeded Sam's utterance, and he stood
silently by the others, watching the couple as they clambered ashore. It
was noticed that Henry carried his head very erect, but whether this was
due to the company he was keeping or the spick-and-span appearance he
made, they were unable to determine.

"Easy--go easy," panted the mate, mopping his red face with a
handkerchief. "What are you in such a hurry for?"

"We shall be too late if we don't hurry," said Henry; "then you'll think
I've been tellin' lies."

The mate made no further protest, and at the same rapid pace they walked
on until they reached a quiet road on the outskirts of Gravesend.

"There he is!" said Henry triumphantly, as he stopped and pointed up
the road at the figure of a man slowly pacing up and down. "She's at
a little school up at the other end. A teacher or somethin'. Here they
come."

As he spoke a small damsel with a satchel and a roll of music issued
from a house at the other end of the road, the advanced guard of a small
company which in twos and threes now swarmed out and went their various
ways.

"Nice girls, some of 'em!" said Henry, glancing approvingly at them as
they passed. "Oh, here she comes! I can't say I see much in her myself."

The mate looked up and regarded the girl as she approached with
considerable interest. He saw a pretty girl with nice gray eyes and
a flush, which might be due to the master of the _Seamew_--who
was following at a respectful distance behind her--trying to look
unconcerned at this unexpected appearance.

"Halloa, Jack!" he said carelessly.

"Halloa!" said the mate, with a great attempt at surprise. "Who'd ha'
thought o' seeing you here!"

The skipper, disdaining to reply to this hypocrisy, stared at Henry
until an intelligent and friendly grin faded slowly from that youth's
face and left it expressionless. "I've just been having a quiet stroll,"
he said,