ers, and other
craft of various descriptions, were sailing or pulling about in all
directions, so that the stranger had to keep his eyes about him to avoid
being run down by, or running into, some other boat or vessel.

"We'll step the mast, and make sail while we're in smooth water, sir,"
said father. "There's a lop of a sea outside, when it wouldn't be
pleasant to this gentleman if we were to wait till then," and he gave a
look at the landsman, who even now did not seem altogether comfortable.

"The doctor hasn't been used to the sea, but he'll soon get accustomed
to it. No fear of that, Cockle, eh?" said the officer, who was, he
afterwards told father, second mate of the _Intrepid_.

"I hope I shall, Mr Griffiths, but I confess I don't much like the
thought of going through those foaming waves out there in such a
cockleshell of a boat as this," answered the doctor. "No offence to
you, my friend," he added, turning to father.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! That's just what the boat is at present," said the mate,
laughing. "Do you twig, doctor? Do you twig? She carries you and your
fortunes, and if she takes us safe alongside the _Intrepid_--and I see
no reason why she shouldn't--we shall be obliged to her and her owner
here. What's your name, my man?"

"Jack Trawl, sir; at your service," answered father. "Many's the time
I've been out to Spithead in this here wherry when it's been blowing
great guns and small arms, and she's ridden over the seas like a duck.
The gentleman needn't be afraid."

The doctor, who did not seem to like the mate's joking, or father's
remark about being afraid, sat silent for some time.

"I'll take the helm, sir, if you please," said father, who had stepped
the mast and hauled aft the sheets. "My wherry likes me to have hold of
her, and maybe she mightn't behave as well as she should if a stranger
was steering."

"I understand," answered Mr Griffiths, laughing. "You are wise not to
trust any one but yourself. I'll yield to you in handling this style of
boat under sail, though I may have been more at sea than you have."

"I doubt that, sir, as I went afloat not long after you were born, if
not before, and for well-nigh thirty years seldom set foot on shore,"
answered father. "All that time I served His Majesty--God bless him--
and if there was to come another war I'd be ready to serve him again, as
my boy Jack there is just going to do."

"A fine lad he seems, but he'd better by half h