red at, for the schooner, although a smart
little craft, was not nearly so valuable--especially from a slave
trader's point of view--as either of the others; yet when she was at
length knocked down she went for her full value, and, on the whole, the
parties most intimately concerned had every reason to be very well
satisfied with the total result of the sale. It was not until the next
morning that the fact was allowed to leak out that the _Francesca_, had
been purchased into the service. Meanwhile I had practically nothing to
do, and I therefore spent most of my time in study, preparing myself for
my examination, so that I might be ready to avail myself of the first
opportunity to pass that should present itself. I filled in the gaps by
visiting Fawcett at the hospital, and I was pleased to find that since
the cheering visit of the commodore he had been making very satisfactory
progress.

It was on the afternoon of the day succeeding the sale of the prizes
that the commodore sent for me.

"Well," said he when I presented myself, "I suppose you are beginning to
feel rather tired of kicking your heels about ashore here, are you not?"

"Yes, sir," I said, "I must confess that I am, especially now that Mr
Fawcett seems to be progressing so satisfactorily toward convalescence.
I had hoped that the _Shark_ would have been in ere this; for although I
have not been altogether wasting my time, I feel that I am not earning
my pay; moreover, I prefer a more active life than I am leading here."

"Quite right, young man, quite right," approved the commodore. "Nothing
like active service for an ambitious young fellow like yourself. I
understand that you have been working up for your examination lately.
Well, to be quite candid with you, I don't think your chances of passing
here are very bright--not because I consider you unfit to pass, mind
you, but because it may be some time before an opportunity offers. But
that is a misfortune which, perhaps, may be remedied. You have heard, I
suppose, that your schooner has been purchased into the service?"

"Yes, sir, I have," said I, all alert in a moment, for I hoped that this
abrupt reference to the transaction boded good for me. "And I was
exceedingly glad to hear it," I went on, "for she is a very smart, handy
little vessel, and may be made exceedingly useful in many ways."

"So I thought, and therefore I bought her," remarked the old gentleman.
"It was my original intention