ered that I was not going to do away with myself like
Jack Drage, and that I would make a complaint of him to the British
Consul whenever we touched at a port. On this he knocked me down again.
I know that I was taken with the sulks, and for days afterwards didn't
speak to him or any one else; but as I had no wish to be killed, I did
what I was ordered to do, and got on somewhat better. Ever since that
not a day passes that I don't get a kick or have a marline-spike hove at
my head by either the officers or men forward. They're all very much
alike for that matter, except Tom Trivett, and he's as good a fellow as
ever lived. He has a hard life of it, for the men are always playing
him tricks; and the officers spite him, and are constantly making him do
dirty jobs which no able seaman should be called on to perform. But, I
say, I mustn't stand talking here any longer, or I shall be suspected of
being your friend. Don't let any one find out that we know each other,
and we shall get on all the better. I'll tell Tom Trivett, and he'll
bring you the coffee if I can't manage it; meanwhile you stay quiet in
the bunk, even if you feel well enough to get up."

"There is no chance of my being able to do that for some days," I
answered, "for I don't think I could stand if I were to try."

Mark now left me, and I fell back nearly exhausted from having talked so
long to him.

After some time Tom appeared with a basin of hot black coffee, with some
biscuit floating in it.

"Can't I have a little milk?" I asked.

"We've not any cows on board here," he answered with a laugh; "and there
are no dairies in the Atlantic, unless Daddy Neptune happens to keep
sea-cows."

"You must have thought me very silly to ask for milk," I said, as I ate
up the sopped biscuit, and drank the hot coffee, which was well
sweetened with sugar.

"It shows you are something of a greenhorn, lad," he answered, laughing,
"but no wonder your wits aren't of the brightest after having been shut
up in the dark so long; you shall have something else by-and-by.
Remember what I told you; don't be getting well too soon, that's all."

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

My convalescence--Julius Caesar befriends me--We pass the Cape de
Verde Islands--Our hopes of a change of diet disappear--My turn at
last--A severe discipline--Captain Longfleet--"Please, sir, I couldn't
help it"--"There goes the baby and his nurse"--Caesar's sympathy--How
I owed my life to To