d
in his efforts to act up to his ideal of this character he often used
words of whose meaning he had but a very imperfect idea, and always in
the wrong place. His chief redeeming points were that he was thoroughly
master of his business, honest as the day, and did not object to "rough
it" when occasion required.

The characteristics of this trio came prominently into view when they,
with the rest of the passengers, boarded the ship at Gravesend and
proceeded to take possession of their cabins.

The bulk of the passengers' luggage had been shipped in dock, and passed
down into the after-hold upon the top of the cargo, in order that it
might be out of the way but easily come-at-able if required during the
voyage; each one, however, as he or she came up the ship's side and
stepped in on deck, bore in his or her hand one or more bundles of
wraps, deck-chairs, and other _impedimenta_.

The first to make his appearance was Mr Forester Dale; he was not
ashamed to take precedence even of the ladies. He walked straight aft,
glancing neither to the right nor to the left, ascended the half-dozen
steps leading up to the top of the monkey-poop, and at once dived down
the saloon-companion. Arrived at the bottom of the staircase he stood
there, blocking up the way, and began to call discontentedly for the
steward to show him his cabin, which that official hastened to do.

Mr Fortescue was among the last to leave the boat which had brought the
passengers alongside, and he was closely followed on board by Mr Brook.
On reaching the deck they both paused to glance round them and aloft at
the towering symmetrical masts and spars, with their mazy network of
rigging.

"Jolly craft this, isn't she, Brook?" remarked Rex Fortescue genially;
"plenty of room, and clean as a new pin, although they're only just out
of dock. I think we shall be comfortable here."

"Oh, yes," assented Brook, "we shall be comfortable enough, I don't
misdoubt; and as to `roomy,' iron ships always is, that's what they
builds 'em of iron for."

They then proceeded below, and, like the rest, sought their cabins in
order to stow away their luggage.

Rex Fortescue shared a cabin with his senior partner, each cabin
containing two sleeping berths. As he entered the one which from the
number on its door he knew to be his, he found Mr Forester Dale
struggling viciously with a drawer which, in his impatience to open, he
had twisted out of position and hopelessly