a good wife, and a comfortable house to live in. She also would be
the gainer, for he had saved some money when in our service; and as he
was a sober, temperate man, he would be able to assist her very much in
her business. On my own account also I was very glad, because I should
now have many opportunities of seeing him whenever I returned to
Portsmouth.

Several days passed away after this, during which time I must say no one
could have taken better care of me than did good Mrs Harrigan; and I
felt convinced that my old friend would likewise be well looked after
during my absence.

CHAPTER THREE.

LIEUTENANT O'FLAHERTY--MY SHIP AND SHIPMATES--THE PILOT'S BOAT--RESULTS
OF DRUNKENNESS--MY FIRST COMMAND.

One day, on going with Larry, according to custom, to the "Star and
Garter" to learn tidings of the cutter, I saw a fine sailorlike-looking
man, with an intelligent and good-humoured expression of countenance,
talking to the landlady.

"There's the young gentleman himself," she exclaimed, pointing at me.

"What, my lad, are you indeed my nephew?" said the officer, kindly,
putting out his hand and pressing mine warmly. "Faith, I needn't ask
that, though; you are the very picture of your poor mother. Well, Neil,
the sooner you get on board and begin learning your duty, the better."

I answered that I was perfectly ready, for I at once took a great fancy
to him, and thought I should be very happy in the cutter.

He now observed Larry for the first time.

"What! old shipmate," he exclaimed, shaking him warmly by the hand, "are
you the trustworthy person Dr Driscoll told me he would send to look
after the youngster? I'm delighted to see you again, and wish I could
give you a berth on board my craft, but I'm afraid the service won't
permit that. You must, however, come and take a cruise with us, and
talk over old times."

"Faith, your honour, I'm not much fit for duty, I own, with my timber
toe, afloat, and I've just found a snug berth on shore, which I intend
to keep till Master D'Arcy settles down in the halls of his fathers, and
wants my services; but I'll gladly take a cruise with your honour, and
just see how he practises all I've taught him. You'll find him in a few
days, I'll warrant, as smart a seaman as many who've been two or three
years afloat."

To make a long story short, while Larry remained on shore with his
new-found wife, I went on board the cutter; and the following day we ran
out of