was all the same. One day, when we were off Halifax Harbour,
the master, who was a good-tempered fellow enough, but not over bright,
was angry with this young chap for something that he had not done, and
called him a `confounded young bear,' upon which the youngster runs to
the jacob-ladder of the main rigging, climbs up, and as soon as he had
gained the main rattlings he cries out, `Well, if I'm a bear, you aren't
fit to carry guts to a bear.' `What, sir?' cried the master. `Mutiny,
by heavens! Up to the masthead, sir, directly.' `Don't you see that I
was going of my own accord?' replied the midshipman; for, you see, he
knew that he would be sent there, so he went up the rigging on purpose.
Well, this was rather a serious affair, and so the master reports it to
the first lieutenant, who reports it to the captain, who sends for the
youngster on the quarter-deck, at the time that the ship's company were
at quarters. `Mr ---' (I forget his name), said the captain (drawing
himself up to his full height, and perhaps an inch or two above it, as
they say), `you have been guilty of disrespect to your superior officer,
in telling him that he was not fit to carry guts to a bear' (the captain
could hardly help laughing). `Now, sir,' continued he, recovering
himself, `I give you your choice: either you will make an apology to Mr
Owen on this quarter-deck, or you must quit my ship immediately.'
`Sir,' replied the midshipman, `I don't think it quite fair that the
master should first punish me himself and then complain to you
afterwards. He has taken the law into his own hands already by
mastheading me for eight hours, and now he makes a complaint to you; but
I am always ready to do as you wish, and, to please you, I will make an
apology.' `There is some truth in your observation,' replied the
captain, `and I have pointed the same out to the master; but still, this
is a breach of discipline which cannot be passed over, and requires a
public retraction before the whole ship's company. I therefore insist
upon your retracting what you have said.' `Certainly, sir,' replied the
youngster. `Mr Owen,' continued he, turning to the master, `I said
that you were _not_ fit to carry guts to a bear. I was in the wrong,
and I retract with pleasure, for I am perfectly satisfied that you _are
fit_ to carry them.' `Sir!' cried the captain. `Oh, Captain G---!'
interrupted the master, who did not take the joke, `I'm perfectly
satisfied. T