rning, after breakfast, Harry and his young companion went on
board their ship, and Harry reported himself and Willy to the
first-lieutenant, Mr Tobin. Captain Newcombe was on board; and when
Harry, accompanied by Willy, went up and spoke to him on the
quarterdeck, he received them very kindly.

Willy, by Harry's advice, set to work at once to learn his duty. Peter
Patch, though fond of practical jokes, was very good-natured, and
assisted him as far as he could, telling him the names of the ropes, and
showing him how to knot and splice, and the principle of sailing and
steering a ship. Willy, who was a sharp little fellow, quickly took in
all the instruction given him.

The midshipmen's berth was somewhat confined, as, indeed, were those of
the other officers, as a large portion of the space below was given up
for the use of the troops. The poop cabins were devoted to the
accommodation of the military officers and their families. There was
also a space occupied by the hospital, and another portion by the women
who accompanied the regiment, certain non-commissioned officers and
privates being allowed to have their wives and children with them.

At length the ship was ready, and the soldiers were seen approaching her
from Gosport. As they came up the side, they formed on deck, and each
man had his allotted berth shown him; so that, although there were two
hundred men, with a proportionate number of non-commissioned officers
and their wives and families, there was perfect order and regularity
observed. The "Ranger" had the honour of conveying Colonel Morley, who
commanded the regiment, and there was a Mrs and two Miss Morleys. Then
there was Captain Power, Captain Gosling, and Captain Twopenny; and
Lieutenants Dawson, Hickman, and Ward; with Ensigns Holt and Gonne.
There was a surgeon, David Davis, who hailed from Wales; and a
paymaster, who was the stoutest man on board. There were several
sergeants, but only one, Serjeant Rumbelow, whose name it is necessary
to record. He was accompanied by his wife, who was a person well
capable of keeping order, not only among the soldiers' wives, but among
the soldiers themselves. She was a woman of powerful frame and voice,
tall and gaunt, and of a dauntless spirit. The regiment had not been on
board many hours before Willy saw her go up to two young soldiers who
were quarrelling. Seizing them, she knocked their heads together.
"There, lads," she exclaimed; "make it up