pable young
officer, but also that you have your full share of sound common sense
and self-reliance--that you are, in fact, quite as likely to give a good
account of yourself over this business as would many a much older man.

"Therefore, since you are certain to pass with flying colours as soon as
an opportunity to present yourself for examination offers itself, I
intend to give you an acting order as lieutenant, to place you in
command of a small schooner with a good strong crew, and to send you off
upon a roving commission to do your best to put down these piratical
outrages that are so frequently occurring under our very noses. Now,
what d'ye think of my scheme, youngster? Is the job too big for you to
tackle?"

"No, sir," I answered; "certainly not too big. The only thing I fear is
that I may not be sufficiently experienced to execute so responsible a
duty as efficiently as it ought to be executed. But I will do my very
utmost, Sir Peter, I can promise you that; and if I can only have with
me one or two thoroughly steady, reliable men to help me with an
occasional word of advice, I believe we shall be able to give a very
good account of ourselves."

"Yes," returned Sir Peter, "I believe so too, otherwise I would not
dream of sending you. As to experience, well, there is only one way of
gaining it, and that is by actually doing a thing; it is rather a rough
school, perhaps, but it is the only one in which you can thoroughly
learn your lesson, and I am glad to see that you have no idea of
shirking it.

"And now, as to this seventy-four of yours. She is a fore-and-aft
schooner of one hundred and ten tons, said to have been built at
Baltimore. She is something of a freak, her designer having apparently
turned his lines end for end and put his bows where his stern should be,
and _vice versa_. Nevertheless, his theory seems to have been sound,
for I'm told that she is a perfect witch for speed, especially in light
weather, and speed is one of the qualities which you must have. She was
caught smuggling, and was condemned to be sawn in two; but I thought we
might perhaps be able to find a better use for her than that, so I have
postponed the operation. She is called the _Wasp_, and if you have as
much enterprise as I give you credit for, you ought to make her sting to
some purpose. You will find her in Hulk Hole, and--Stop a minute." He
rang a bell and a messenger entered.

"Jones," said Sir Peter, "have