not let you lads be exposed to the dangers and temptations of
the town," he said in a kind tone. "You must stay here till you go to
sea again."

Mary at once wrote to Mr Troil to tell him of my return, and of my
having brought my brother Jack back with me.

While waiting for an answer, one day Jack and Jim and I were walking
down the High Street, when we saw a large placard stating that the
_Thisbe_ frigate, commissioned by Captain Rogers, was in want of hands.

"I shouldn't wonder but what he was my old skipper," observed Jack.
"And you fine young fellows couldn't do better than join her," exclaimed
a petty officer, who was standing near, clapping Jack on the back.

"Why I think I know your face," he added.

"Maybe. I'm Jack Trawl. I'm not ashamed of my name," said my brother.

"Jack Trawl!" exclaimed the man-of-war's man; "then you belong to the
_Lapwing_. We all thought you were lost with the rest of the boat's
crew."

"No, I wasn't; Miles Soper and I escaped. Now I look at you, ain't you
Bill Bolton?"

"The same," was the answer. "Tell us how it all happened."

Jack in a few words told his old shipmate what is already known to the
reader. While he was speaking, who should come up but Miles Soper
himself, come down to Portsmouth to look out for a berth, accompanied by
Sam Coal. The long and the short of it was that they all three agreed
to enter aboard the _Thisbe_, and did their best to persuade Jim to
follow their example.

I had no notion of doing so myself, for I knew that it would break
Mary's heart to part with me again so soon, and I feared, indeed, that
she would not like Jack's going. Still, taking all things into
consideration, he could not do better I thought--for having been so long
at sea, he felt, as he said, like a fish out of water among so many fine
folks.

Jim made no reply, but drawing me aside, said--

"Peter, I can't bear the thoughts of leaving you, and yet I know you
wouldn't like to ship before the mast again; but if I stay ashore what
am I to do? I've no fancy to spending my days in a wherry, and haven't
got one if I had. I've taken a liking to Jack, and you've many friends,
and can do without me, so if you don't say no I'll ship with the rest."

I need not repeat what I said to Jim. I was sure that it was the best
thing he could do, and advised him accordingly.

"I'm with you, mates," he said, in a husky tone, going back to the rest,
and away they all went togeth