er's manner when he should disclose his information.

"This is the second time you've taken yourself off," roared the other
angrily. "I've half a mind to give you the soundest thrashing you ever
had in your life."

"All right," said Henry, somewhat taken aback. "When--"

"Don't answer me, you idle young rascal!" said the skipper sternly; "get
to bed."

"I want to----" began Henry, chilled by this order.

"Get to bed," repeated the skipper, rising.

"Bed?" said Henry, as his face hardened; "bed at seven o'clock?"

"I'll punish you somehow," said the skipper, looking from him to the
cook who had just descended. "Cook!"

"Yes, sir," said the cook briskly.

"Put that boy to bed," said the other, "and see he goes now."

"A' right, sir," said the grinning cook. "Come along, 'Enery."

With a pale face and a haughty mien, which under other circumstances
might have been extremely impressive, Henry, after an entreating glance
at the skipper, followed him up the steps.

"'E's got to go to bed," said the cook to Sam and Dick, who were
standing together. "'E's been naughty."

"Who said so?" asked Sam eagerly.

"Skipper," replied the cook. "'E told me we wos to put him to bed
ourselves."

"You needn't trouble," said Henry stiffly; "I'll go all right."

"It's no trouble," said Sam oilily.

"It's a pleasure," said Dick truthfully.

Arrived at the scuttle, Henry halted, and with an assumption of ease he
was far from feeling, yawned, and looked round at the night.

"Go to bed," said Sam reprovingly, and seizing him in his stout arms
passed him below to the cook, feet first, as the cook discovered to his
cost.

"'E ought to be bathed first," said Sam, assuming the direction of
affairs; "and it's Monday night, and 'e ought to have a clean nightgown
on."

"Is 'is little bed made?" inquired the cook anxiously.

"'Is little bed's just proper," said Dick, patting it.

"We won't bathe him to-night," said Sam, as he tied a towel apron-wise
round his waist; "it 'ud be too long a job. Now, 'Enery, come on to my
lap."

Aided by willing arms, he took the youth on to his knee, and despite
his frantic struggles, began to prepare him for his slumbers. At the
pressing request of the cook he removed the victim's boots first, and,
as Dick said, it was surprising what a difference it made. Then having
washed the boy's face with soap and flannel, he lifted him into his
berth, grinning respectfully up at the face of the mate as