rs, sir?"

"No, Mr Keene; you may go on board and return to your duty."

I made my bow, and quitted the room; went down below, and found Bob
Cross waiting for me.

"Well?" said he, as we walked away.

"Stiff as ever," replied I: "told me to go on board and 'tend to my
duty."

"Well, I knew it would be so," replied Bob; "it's hard to say what stuff
them great nobs are made of. Never mind that; you've your own game to
play, and your own secret to keep."

"His secret," replied I, biting my lips, "to keep or to tell, as may
happen."

"Don't let your vexation get the better of you, Master Keene; you've the
best of it, if you only keep your temper; let him play his cards, and
you play yours. As you know his cards and he don't know yours, you must
win the game in the end--that is, if you are commonly prudent."

"You are right, Cross," replied I; "but you forget that I am but a boy."

"You are but a boy, Master Keene, but you've no fool's head on your
shoulders."

"I hope not," replied I; "but here we are at the boat."

"Yes; and, as I live, here's Peggy Pearson. Well, Peggy, how did you
like your cruise with Master Keene?"

"If I ever go on another, I hope he will be my companion. Master Keene,
will you allow me to go on board with you to see my husband?"

"Oh, yes, Peggy," replied Cross; "the first lieutenant would not refuse
you after what has happened, nor Captain Delmar either, stiff as he is:
for, although he never shows it, he don't want feeling. Jim will be
glad to see you, Peggy; you haven't an idea how he took on, when he
heard of your loss. He borrowed a pocket-handkerchief from the corporal
of marines."

"I suspect he'd rather borrow a bottle of rum from the purser," replied
Peggy.

"Recollect, Peggy," said I, holding up my finger.

"Mr Keene, I do recollect; I pledge you my word that I have not tasted
a drop of spirits since we parted--and that with a sovereign in my
pocket."

"Well, only keep to it--that's all."

"I will, indeed, Mr Keene; and, what's more, I shall love you as long
as I live."

We pulled on board in the gig, and Peggy was soon in the arms of her
husband. As Pearson embraced her at the gangway--for he could not help
it--the first lieutenant very kindly said, "Pearson, I shan't want you
on deck till after dinner: you may go below with your wife."

"Now, may God bless you, for a cross-looking, kind-hearted gentleman,"
said Peggy to the first lieutenant.

Peggy was