have taken you
down. Here, Mr Terry, Mr Roylance--oh, there you are!--take Mr
Belton down and introduce him to his messmates; and, I say, youngster--
no, never mind now. Look sharp and learn your duties. Hi! you sirs,
what are you doing with that yard?" he yelled out to some men up aloft,
and he walked nimbly away just as the two midshipmen joined Syd.

"Thought, as you were the captain's son, you might be going to have your
quarters in the cabin," said Terry, with a sneering look in his face.
"Be better there, wouldn't he, Roy?"

"I should think so," said the other, looking at the new-comer
quizzically.

"My father said I should have to be with the other midshipmen," said
Syd, quickly.

"With the midshipmen, not the _other_ midshipmen," said Terry, with a
sneer. "You are not a midshipman, are you?"

"I suppose I am going to be one when I have learned how," replied
Sydney, shortly. "My father said that I was not to expect any favours
because I was the captain's son."

"Did he now?" said Roylance; "and what did your mother say?"

Syd winced, and looked so sharply at the speaker that the latter
pretended to be startled.

"Wo ho!" he cried. "I say, Terry, this chap's a fire-eater; a bit
wild."

"Here, come along down, youngster. Don't banter him, Hoy," said Terry,
who had noticed that the officer who had given the order was coming
back, and he led the way toward the companion-ladder.

"Who's that gentleman in uniform?" said Sydney. "Eh? That one?" said
Terry, looking in another direction. "Oh, that's the purser. You'll
have to be very civil to him--ask him to dinner and that sort of thing."

"No, no, I wouldn't do that at first," said Roylance, as they descended.
"Ask him to have a glass of grog with you."

"Yes," said Terry. "Get to the dinner by and by. Pray how old are
you?"

"Between sixteen and seventeen," replied Sydney, who writhed under his
companion's supercilious ways, but was determined to make friends if he
could.

"Are you though?" said Roylance. "Fine boy for his age; eh, Mike?"

"Very. Mind your head, youngster. We're going to have all this
properly lighted now, I suppose. Our last captain did not give much
thought to the 'tween decks. By the way, the young gentlemen of our
mess are a bit particular. He ought to show to the best advantage, eh,
Roy, and make a good impression."

"Yes, of course."

"Perhaps," continued Terry, turning to Syd, "you'd like to see the
shi