me why I did not show her my letter, and
I replied, that there were secrets in it, which answer did not at all
add to her good temper; our adieus were, therefore, anything but
affectionate, and before the men with my effects were a hundred yards in
advance, Bob Cross and I were at their heels.

"Well, Master Keene," said Bob, as we wended our way across South Sea
Common, "how do you like the purser's ladies?"

"Not at all," replied I; "they have done nothing but try to pump me the
whole time I have been there; but they did not make much of it."

"Women will be curious, Master Keene--pray what did they try to pump
about?"

I hardly knew how to reply, and I hesitated. I felt a strong
inclination towards Bob Cross, and I had before reflected whether I
should make him my confidant; still, I was undecided and made no reply,
when Bob Cross answered for me:--

"Look ye, child--for although you're going on the quarter-deck, and I am
before the mast, you are a child compared to me--I can tell you what
they tried to pump about, as well as you can tell me, if you choose.
According to my thinking, there's no lad on board the frigate that will
require good advice as you will; and I tell you candidly, you will have
your cards to play. Bob Cross is no fool, and can see as far through a
fog as most chaps; I like you for yourself as far as I see of you, and I
have not forgotten your mother's kindness to me, when she had her own
misery to occupy her thoughts; not that I wanted the money--it wasn't
the money, but the way and the circumstances under which it was given.
I told you I'd look after you a bit--a bit means a great deal with me--
and so I will, if you choose that I shall; if not, I shall touch my hat
to you, as my officer, which won't help you very much. So, now you have
to settle, my lad, whether you will have me as your friend, or not."

The appeal quite decided me. "Bob Cross," replied I. "I do wish to
make you my friend; I thought of it before, but I did not know whether
to go to you or to Tommy Dott."

"Tommy Dott! Well, Master Keene, that's not very flattering, to put me
in one scale, and Tommy Dott in the other; I'm not surprised at its
weighing down in my favour. If you wish to get into mischief you can't
apply to a better hand than Tommy Dott; but Tommy Dott is not half so
fit to advise you, as you are, I expect, to advise him; so make him your
playmate and companion, if you please, but as to his advice, i