he _Sirius_ frigate, and she's ordered abroad."

Captain Belton drew himself up, and his eyes flashed as in imagination
he saw himself treading once more the quarter-deck of a smart ship.

"It's too good to believe," he muttered--"too good to believe."

"You haven't read the letter," said his brother, looking wistfully
across to the tall, eager-looking man before him.

"No," said Captain Belton. "Hah! from Claudene,"--and he read aloud:--

"My dear Belton, I have managed this for you, and I'm very glad, for you
will do us credit. The appointment will clear away the difficulty about
your boy, for you can have him in your own ship, and keep the young dog
under your eye. My good wishes to you, and kind regards to your
brother. Tell him I wish I could serve him as well, but I can't see my
way."

"Of course he can't," said the old admiral, quickly. "No; I'm too old
and gouty now. But as for you, you dog, why don't you stand on your
head, or shout, or something? Here, I am well enough to go up to town
after all. Syd and I are going to see about his uniform. The
_Sirius_--well, you two have luck at last. Here, hi! you, sir! Put
down that confounded birch-broom, and come here."

Uncle Tom had caught sight of Barney at the bottom of the lawn sweeping
leaves into a heap for his son to lift them between two boards into the
waiting barrow.

As Barney looked up and saw the admiral signalling from the window, he
came across the lawn at a trot, dragging the broom after him.

"Drop that broom and salute your officer, you confounded old barnacle!"
roared the old gentleman. "Salute, sir, salute: your master's appointed
to the smartest frigate in the service."

Barney struck an attitude, sent his old cocked hat spinning into the
air, and then catching it, tucked it under his arm, and pulled his
imaginary forelock over and over again.

"Good luck to your honour! I am glad. When would you like me to be
ready, sir? Shall I go on first and begin overhauling?"

"You, Strake?" said the captain, thoughtfully.

"You're not going to leave me behind, sir? No, no, sir; don't say that,
sir--don't think it, sir. I'm as strong and active as ever I was, and a
deal more tough. Ask him to take me, Master Syd."

"Take you, Strake?" said the captain again. "Why, what is to become of
my garden?"

"Your garden, captain! What do you want with a garden when you're at
sea? Salt tack and biscuit, and a few bags o' 'tatoes abo