"Mercy!--murder!" cried the purser, dropping the lantern, which went out
and left them in the dark; and he tumbled down on the coals.

Bob Cross stepped over him, and hastened up to the lower deck, followed
by Tommy Dott, who first, by way of revenge, jumped several times upon
the purser's face and body before he climbed up.

The cry of the purser had given the alarm. The master-at-arms hastened
forward with his lantern just as Tommy had made his appearance above the
coamings. Seeing Tommy as black as a sweep, he too was frightened; the
men had put their heads out of their hammocks and some of them had seen
Tommy.

Bob Cross, as he crawled aft, cried out, "Tommy Dott's ghost!" I had
pretended to be terrified out of my wits as I ran aft, and all was
confusion on the lower deck. The first lieutenant had come out of the
wardroom, and seeing me, he inquired what was the matter. I replied
that Mr Culpepper had gone down into the coal-hole, and had seen Mr
Dott's ghost. He laughed heartily, and went back.

Tommy had in the mean time made his appearance in the mids' berth, at
which they had all rushed from him in dismay, just as I entered; when I
caught him by the hand saying, "Tommy, my boy, how are you?" They then
perceived that it was Tommy himself, and order was restored.

Mr Culpepper was hoisted up out of the coal-hole; Master Tommy having
jumped upon his face, he looked a very miserable object, as he was well
blackened, as well as much bruised from the soles of Tommy's shoes, and
his nose had bled profusely. He was very incoherent for some time; but
the doctor gave him an opiate, and put him to bed.

The next morning the whole affair was explained on the quarterdeck,
Master Tommy well reprimanded, and desired to return to his duty. The
captain was very much amused at the winding up of this affair, as it was
a capital story to tell at the governor's. Tommy never had an idea that
I had blown upon him, nor did Mr Culpepper imagine that their meeting
was premeditated.

I had now completed the usual course of navigation under the master, and
had no longer any cause for remaining in the cabin; I therefore returned
to my berth; but as I had taken a liking to navigation, I now was
employed daily in working sights and rating the chronometer.

We remained three weeks longer in Port Royal, and then were ordered out
on a cruise, on the South American coast. There we continued for nearly
six months without any