Thomas nodded.

"Well, sir," continued the captain, "are you ready to take your
flogging?"

"Yes, sir," said Pan, dolefully.

"And what will you say if I forgive you?"

"And make him forgive me too, sir?" cried Pan, nodding his head sideways
at his father.

"Yes, my lad."

"Anything, sir. There, I'll never run away agen."

"Will you be a good, obedient lad, and do as your father wishes you, and
go to sea?"

"No," said Pan, stolidly, "I won't."

"Humph! what are we to say to this, Sir Thomas?"

"Say?--that he's a cowardly young swab."

"Ay, ay, sir; that's it," cried Barney.

"Silence, sir. Look here, boy; we'll give you another chance. Will you
go to sea?"

The boy shook his head.

"What! not with my son?"

"What!" cried Barney, excitedly. "Master Syd going?"

"Yes, Barney," cried the boy. "I'm going to be a sailor after all."

The ex-boatswain showed every tooth in his head in a broad grin, slapped
one hand down on the other, and cried in a gruff voice--

"Dear lad! There, your honours! The right stuff in him arter all.
Can't you get me shipped in the same craft with him, Sir Thomas? I'm as
tough as ratline hemp still."

"You going to sea, Master Syd?" said Pan, looking at the companion of
his flight wonderingly.

"Yes, Pan; at once. Will you come?"

"Course I will, sir," cried Pan. "Going to-day?"

"There--there, your honours! Hear that?" cried Barney, excitedly.
"Aren't that the right stuff too? Here, your honour, begging your
pardon, that bit of rope's-end's mine."

He caught up the rope, and gave it a flourish over his head.

"Here, stop! what are you going to do?" cried Sydney, dashing at him,
and getting hold of one end of the rope.

"Going to do, Master Syd?--burn it; you may if you like. It's done it's
dooty, and done it well. I asks your honours, both on you--aren't that
wirtoo in a bit o' rope? See what it's made of him. Nothing like a bit
o' rope's-end, neatly seized with a bit o' twine."

"Ah, well, you've a right to your opinion, Strake," said the captain.
"There, you can take him back home. I dare say we can manage to get him
entered in the same ship as my son."

"And if he's going to do the right thing now," said Sir Thomas, "I'll
pay for his outfit too."

"Thank, your honour; thank, your honour!" cried Barney.

"Oh!"

This last was from Pan, who had received a side kick from his father's
shoe.

"Then why don't yer touch yer hat to the admiral a