"No, old chap, of course not," cried Murray, thrusting his arm beneath
his companion's. "I'll _do_ all that. But you must come now. Don't
let's keep Tom May waiting any longer."

"But I tell you that--"

"Hush! Hold your tongue. Here's Anderson coming."

"Well, young gentlemen," said that officer, coming up sharply, "have you
asked the captain?"

"Yes, sir, and he said that he would give us leave, but that he should
prefer for us to ask your permission."

"That's right, my lads; quite right," said the first lieutenant,
speaking quite blandly now. "You'd better start at once, for I don't
think this calm is going to last. Who is going to help you?"

"Tom May, sir."

"Oh yes, I see. A very good trustworthy man. Mind, we shall expect
some fish for dinner."

"He's a humbug, that's what he is," said Roberts angrily. "Blowing hot
and cold with the same breath. I've a good mind to--"

"Come and have the first try? And so you shall, old chap. Look alive!
We must get a good dish now, and for the lads too."

"Oh, I don't want to have anything to do with it," grumbled Roberts.

But his companion paid no heed to his words, for just then Tom May, who
had been watching their proceedings as he waited until the permission
had been obtained, stepped out to meet them, armed with the trident-like
grains and fine line, looking like a modern Neptune civilised into
wearing the easy-looking comfortable garb of a man-o'-war's man, and
offered the light lissome staff to Murray.

"No, no," cried the lad. "Mr Roberts is going to have the first turn."

"I told you I didn't--" began Roberts, with far less emphasis, but
Murray interrupted him.

"Best from the fore chains, won't it, Tom?"

"Yes, sir. Hold on with the left fin and strike with the right."

"Yes, of course. Now then, Dick, over with you; and don't go overboard,
or I shall have to come after you."

"Better let me make a slip-knot for you, sir," said the man, "so as you
don't lose your line and the grains at the same time."

The midshipman's lips parted for him to make another protest--a very
faint one--but before he had spoken a word the sailor threw a running
noose over his wrist, and, unable to resist the temptation of playing
the part of harpooner of the good-sized fish that were playing in the
clear water not far below the surface, he climbed over the bulwark and
took his place in the chains outside the blocks which secured the
shrouds, gathered t