as the matter, Barney?"

"Heverythink, Master Syd. That there boy's gettin' worse than you."

"Oh! is he?"

"Growlin' and grumblin' at any mortal thing. Won't do his work, and
says he won't go to sea, just the same as you do; and now he's been
sarcing the cook."

"For saying the boots and shoes were not clean."

"How do you know, Master Syd?"

"I saw her throwing them at him. You'd no business to hit him with that
rake shaft."

"What! No business to hit him? Why, he's my own boy, arn't he? All
right then, Master Syd; there's an old wagon rope in the shed, I'll lay
up a bit o' that--hard; and on'y just wait till he comes back, that's
all. Won't be a sailor, won't he! I'll let him see. If he won't be
able to write AB at the end of his name 'fore he's one-and-twenty my
name arn't Barnaby Strake."

The old boatswain went off growling; and in the lowest of low spirits,
Syd went indoors, to make his way to the library, shut himself in, and
begin taking down the books from the dusty shelves, seeking for one
which dealt with adventures.

There was no lack of them, but somehow or another all seemed to have the
smack of the salt sea. Now and then he came upon some land adventures,
but it was always preceded by a voyage to the place; and at last he
threw a book down peevishly.

"Any one would think the world was all sea," he grumbled; "that's the
worst of being born on an island."

He started from his seat, for the handle of the door rattled, and his
father and uncle entered the library.

"Oh, you're here, sir!" cried Captain Belton. "That's right. Your
uncle and I have been talking about you."

"Laying down your lines, Syd, so as to turn you out a smart craft."

"Yes," said Captain Belton, merrily. "We've settled about your hull,
Syd; and to-morrow morning we're going to take you up to town, and if
all turns out right--"

"Oh, that's all right," said Sir Thomas. "Dashleigh would do anything
for me."

"If his complement is not made up."

"And if it is. Hang it, Harry; you can always squeeze another boy into
a seventy-gun ship."

"Well, I suppose it will be all right," said the captain; "and if it is
we'll get you rigged."

"Yes, and if you'll be a good lad, and try and learn your profession,
I'll make you a present of your outfit, Syd. The best that can be had,"
said Sir Thomas.

"And I'd give you a gold watch," said the captain, "only you'd lose it,
or get it stolen or broken before you