GRAY HAS HIS ORDERS.

The men on the corvette, with those who rowed back the empty boats, gave
a loud cheer, which was answered from the island, as the hunting-party
moved off in procession.

"Give them another, my lads," cried Bob Roberts excitedly; and the
sailors, with whom he was a special favourite, responded heartily.

"Just another, my lads, to show them we are not a bit envious," cried
Bob; and then another prolonged "Hurrah!" went up in the morning skies,
the middy shouting with the best of them; and it was amusing to see
Bob's calm, consequential ways as he stood there, completely ignoring
Lieutenant Johnson, and taking upon himself the full command of the
ship.

He glanced up aloft, and his look threatened an order to man the yards,
when the lieutenant interfered.

"I think that will do, Mr Roberts," he said quietly, and Bob was taken
rather aback.

"Yes, of course, sir," he said, "but the men are already loaded with a
cheer, hadn't they better let it off?"

Lieutenant Johnson gazed full in the lad's face, half sternly, half
amused at his quaint idea, and then nodded. Then there was another
stentorian cheer, and what seemed like its echo from the island, when
Bob smiled his satisfaction, strutting about the quarter-deck as he
exclaimed,--"We can beat the soldiers hollow at cheering, sir, can't
we?"

"Yes, Mr Roberts," said the lieutenant quietly; and then to the warrant
officer near him, "Pipe down to breakfast, Mr Law; the men must want
it."

"I know one man who wants his," said Bob, half aloud; and then he stared
wistfully after the tail of the departing expedition, as the sun glinted
on the spears, and a very dismal sensation of disappointment came over
him.

"You'll make a good officer some day, Roberts," said the lieutenant, and
Bob started, for he did not know he was so near.

"Thank you, sir--for the compliment," said Bob.

"But at present, my lad, you do imitate the bantam cock to such an
extent that it irritates grown men."

"Do I, sir?" said Bob.

"You do indeed, my lad," said the lieutenant kindly.

"But I don't want to, sir, for nothing worries me more than to see
Ensign Long coming all that strut and show off."

"Well, we won't quarrel about it, Roberts," said Lieutenant Johnson
kindly. "You'll grow out of it in time. As it is, I'm captain for a
few days, and you are my first lieutenant. So first lieutenant," he
continued, clapping the lad on the shoulder, "come down and