ticed that
Captain Miles turned to Mr Marline, with whom he exchanged a short
whispered conversation. After this he advanced again to the break of
the poop, and hailed for a second time the lower deck.

"Jackson!" he called out.

"Aye, aye, sir!" instantly responded the stalwart young Cornishman,
coming out from amidst the others who had gathered in a cluster in the
waist to watch the progress of the row between the captain and Davis.

Jackson quite overtopped the rest of the crew by a foot; and, as he
walked up to the foot of the poop-ladder, with his fine head thrown well
back on his broad shoulders, he seemed afraid of looking no man in the
face--presenting a marked contrast to his late antagonist, whom he
passed on his way aft.

"I have summoned you, Jackson," began Captain Miles--speaking out
distinctly as before, so that all hands could hear--"to inform you that
Mr Marline and myself think you are the best man on board to fill the
vacant post of second mate just vacated by Davis. I have been told of
your recent altercation with that person when he was in authority over
you; but, taking into consideration your previous good conduct and
prompt obedience to the orders of myself and Mr Marline on all
occasions, as well as your general proficiency as an able seaman, we
have not allowed this little matter to affect our decision, and I have
no doubt you will in future discharge your duty as ably as an officer of
the ship as you have hitherto done as a foremast hand. You had better,
therefore, move your chest aft and take the second cabin next to the
steward's pantry, hitherto occupied by Davis, whom I have just disrated
and sent to fill your place in the fo'c's'le. Men," added the captain,
raising his voice a little higher, "you will please consider _Mister_
Jackson to be the second mate of the _Josephine_, and treat him
respectfully as such."

No one seemed more surprised at the ending of the affair than the newly-
promoted foremast hand.

Twirling his cap in his two hands and fidgeting first on one leg and
then on the other, he looked the very picture of confusion.

When he was told to come forwards, he expected no doubt to have been
called to account for his insubordination, whereas here he was actually
selected to fill Davis's billet!

He couldn't make it out at all, and stared open mouth upwards at the
poop unable to utter a word of thanks or anything.

"Come up here, Mr Jackson," said Captain Miles k