fine a frigate. The
boatswain's whistle was piping shrilly as we went up the side, and as my
eye fell on the person who was sounding it, I had an idea that I
recollected him. I asked Toby who he was. "Your old friend, Bill
King," he said. "I wanted to see whether you would remember him; I am
glad you do. It is a good sign when old friends are not forgotten."

While Kiddle got my chest up, and paid the boatman, I went and reported
myself to Mr Schank as come on board; and very proud I felt as I
stepped on the quarter-deck in my bran-new midshipman's uniform. The
First-Lieutenant, who was stumping on his wooden leg here and there with
active movements, watching the proceedings of the various gangs of men
at work in different ways, stopped when he saw me and smiled kindly. He
had grown thinner, if not taller, since I last saw him, and looked
somewhat like the scathed trunk of a once lofty poplar, battered and
torn by a hundred tempests.

"You know the ways of a ship, Ben, pretty well, but as you are still
somewhat small, I have asked Mr Oldershaw--one of the mates--to stand
your friend, and he will give you a help also in navigation. And, Ben,
mind, do not you be ashamed of asking him anything you want to know.
You may live a long time on board ship, and still learn nothing about
seamanship, if you do not keep your eyes open, and try to get others to
explain what you do not understand." As Mr Schank spoke, he beckoned
to a grey-headed old mate who just then came on deck. "This is the
youngster I spoke to you about, Mr Oldershaw," he said. "You will have
an eye on him, and I hope you will be able to give a good report of his
behaviour." I naturally looked up at my protector's countenance, and
was well-satisfied with the expression I saw on it. He soon afterwards
took me down below, and on my way told me that I was to be in his watch,
and that if I did not become a good seaman before the cruise was up, it
should not be his fault.

"You see, Ben, I feel an interest in you on many accounts. I entered
before the mast, and was placed on the quarter-deck, much as you may be
said to have been, and was also left an orphan at an early age. I have
not been very fortunate as to promotion; indeed, though my family were
very respectable in life, I had no interest. I suppose some day I shall
be made a lieutenant, and then I do not expect to rise much higher; but
a lieutenant is a gentleman by rank, and though the half-p