old man, angrily. "Here you, Strake, don't
stand grinning there like a corbel on an old church."

"Couldn't help it, your honour."

"There, you see, uncle."

"I don't, sir. Going to let the grin of that confounded fellow upset
you? If he laughs at you again because he thinks you are a fool, show
him that you're not one; knock him down."

"His honour the captain's compliments, Sir Thomas, and he'd be glad to
see you on board along o' Master Sydney here."

"Is your master on board, then?"

"Ay, sir; and I've come across in the gig, as is waiting for us with one
of the young gentlemen to keep the men in their places."

"Right; we'll come," said the old admiral. "Now, Syd," he whispered,
"do you know why people laugh?"

"Yes, uncle, at me."

"Well, yes, my lad; so they did at me years ago. But you don't know
why."

"I think I do, uncle."

"No, boy, you do not; you look as if you had got on your uniform for the
first time. We're going out now, so look as if you hadn't got it on for
the first time. Hold up your head, cock your hat, and if you look at
people, don't look as if you were wondering what they thought of you,
but as if you were taking his weight. See?"

"Yes, uncle, I think I do. But must I go like this?"

"Confound you, sir!" growled the old man. "Why do you talk like that?"

"Because I look absurd."

"Oh, that's it, is it? Then look here, Syd, I'll prove that you don't."

"If you can prove that, uncle, I shall never mind wearing a uniform
again."

"Then you need not mind, boy, for if you looked absurd I wouldn't be
seen with you. Now then, hold up your head, and remember you are a
king's officer. March!"

The old man gave his cane a thump, cocked his own hat, and stamped along
by the side of his nephew. Pan, who was outside waiting for his
father's return, staring wide-eyed at Sydney's uniform, and then
following behind with Barney, wishing he was allowed to wear a little
gilded sword like that.

In this way they walked down to the boat, which lay a short distance
from the landing-place, with a handsome boy in middy's uniform leaning
back in the stern-sheets, and keeping strict watch on his men to keep
them from yielding to the attraction of one of the public-houses,
stronger than that of duty.

Barney stepped forward and hailed the boat, which was quickly rowed
alongside, the coxswain holding on as the admiral stepped in, followed
by his nephew, who found himself directly