and look after him.

When Commander Rogers was a midshipman, he fell overboard, and would
have been drowned had not father jumped in and saved him. He was very
grateful, but had not till now had an opportunity of practically showing
his gratitude. Father, therefore, gladly accepted his offer, being sure
that he would do his best for Jack; and as Blue Peter was flying from
the masthead of the brig, there was no time to be lost in taking him on
board.

At the time I was too young, as I was saying, to understand these
matters, but I learnt about them afterwards. All I then knew was that
brother Jack was going for a sailor aboard of a man-of-war.

Father and Jack were just shoving off, when two persons who had come out
of the "Keppel's Head" were seen hurrying down the Hard with cases and
packages in their hands and under their arms. One, as his dress and
appearance showed, was a seafaring man; the other wore long toggery, as
sailors call the costume of landsmen.

"If you are going out to Spithead, my man, we'll go with you," shouted
the first.

"Ay, ay, sir! I'll be glad enough to take you," answered father, happy
to get a fare, instead of making nothing by the trip.

"We'll give you five shillings apiece," said the officer, for such he
seemed to be.

"Thank you, sir; that will do. What ship shall I put you aboard?" asked
father.

"The _Intrepid_, South Sea whaler--she's lying to the eastward of the
men-of-war. We shall see her when we get abreast of Southsea Castle,"
answered the officer.

"Step aboard, then, sir," said father. "The tide will soon have done
making out of the harbour, and there's no time to lose."

The strangers took their seats in the stern-sheets, and father and Jack,
shoving off, pulled out into the stream.

The officer took the yoke-lines, and by the way he handled them, showed
that he knew what he was about. Careful steering is always required
where tides run strong and vessels are assembled; but especially was it
at that time, when, peace having been just proclaimed, Portsmouth
Harbour was crowded with men-of-war lately returned from foreign
stations, and with transports and victuallers come in to be discharged;
while all the way up towards Porchester Castle lay, now dismantled in
vast numbers, those stout old ships with names renowned which had borne
the victorious flag of England in many a fierce engagement. Dockyard
lighters, man-of-war boats, wherries crowded with passeng