ll the new hands who had just joined, to see
whether any of them were suffering from organic disease, or some other
physical infirmity that might incapacitate them for service afloat, none
but the able-bodied being accepted.

The curtained door of the sick bay being open and the cabin itself close
to the main hatchway, which I had necessarily to pass in going below to
the gunroom, I could not help overhearing something of what was
proceeding in the medical sanctum, the more especially from the fact of
Dr Nettleby, the presiding genius, having a short temper and a snappy
manner of expressing himself peculiarly his own.

He was a good-hearted man at the bottom, however, and as tender as a
woman in cases of real suffering; though woe to the malingerer or
shammer of illness who incautiously ventured within reach of his caustic
tongue!

A couple of the cadets who had come on board with me that morning were
standing by the doorway of the sick bay, in company with one of the
older midshipmen and some others; and, seeing these all grinning, as if
enjoying themselves mightily at what was going on within, I joined the
group--the lot of us sheltering ourselves from observation behind a tall
canvas screen that was rigged across the deck amidships, shutting out
the draught from the port-holes fore and aft, besides serving also as an
ante-room to the doctor's cabin and surgery. From this inner apartment
would emerge ever and anon some culprit marine or shamefaced seaman,
trying to walk steady, who, having perhaps been a trifle too jolly
overnight and pleading indisposition as an excuse for his inability to
attend to his duties, had been brought before the doctor for treatment--
only, alas! to receive a dose of pungent satire, in lieu of the soothing
medicine they craved to banish the effects of their drunken spree.
Meanwhile, the new hands who were awaiting their medical examination
were drawn up on the other side of the gangway, "marking time" until
these regular, or rather irregular, patients were disposed of in turn,
no doubt enjoying the fun like ourselves.

"Listen," whispered Larkyns, the senior midshipman, nudging the fellow
next him and winking to me as I came up. "That's Macan, our corporal of
marines, who's getting it now. By Jove, the doctor is giving it him
hot!"

He certainly was, judging from what reached my ears, at least.

"Stuff and nonsense, corporal!" I heard Dr Nettleby rasp out
snappishly, his voice so