sentiment which was responded
to by a majority of the crew.

"Very well," continued the captain, consulting his watch; "it wants a
few minutes of eight o'clock, at which time we will strike eight bells,
and set the watch."

"Which watch, captain?" asked Tom Nettle, in rather surly tones.

"There is a rule about this matter, my lad, as there is about everything
aboard ship. I shall follow this rule," replied Captain Gordon, without
even looking at the speaker.

"What is the rule?" asked Henry, rather because he wished to turn the
captain's attention away from Tom, than because he was impatient to know
the rule.

"The captain's watch, which is the second mate's in ships, takes the
first, and the first officer's the second, on the outward voyage; on the
homeward voyage the order is reversed. The starboard watch is the
captain's; therefore it is my first watch to-night. It will be from
eight to twelve; when the larboard watch will come on deck, and remain
till four; then the starboard again till eight."

"That isn't fair," said Edward Freeman.

"Why not, my boy?" asked the captain, with a smile; for he readily
perceived the objection the speaker was about to urge.

"The starboard watch will be on deck eight hours of the night, while the
other watch will be up only four hours."

"Just so, my lad; but to-morrow night the order of the watches will be
reversed. Give me your attention for a moment, and I will explain the
matter. Continuing from the point where I left off, the starboard watch
will be on duty from eight to twelve; the larboard from twelve to four;
when the starboard will come on deck; but----"

"That will bring things just as they were the preceding night, and the
starboard watch will be on duty eight hours, as before," interrupted
Edward, thinking he had caught the captain this time.

"To avoid this difficulty, the watch from four to eight in the afternoon
is divided into two, called the _dog-watches_."

"That makes it all right."

At this moment, Captain Briskett, who had gone forward for the purpose,
struck the bell eight times.

"Eight bells! All the starboard watch, ahoy!" shouted Captain Gordon.
"All the rest of you had better go below and turn in; while you sleep,
pay attention to it, for when we call you, we shall want you."

The mate and his watch all went below; but, though they took to their
berths, the excitement of the occasion was too great to permit them to
sleep. There was a grea