e young lady
herself. He and every one of the family had soon another matter to
engage their attention--Admiral Triton arrived. Tom on seeing him could
scarcely conceal his agitation. The crisis of his fate, as he believed,
had arrived. The Admiral was diplomatic, however, not knowing how Sir
John, or at all events Lady Rogers, would receive his proposal to send
off another of their sons as an offering to Neptune. He and Tom had a
long talk, first in private. Tom acknowledged that he had serious
thoughts of stowing himself away in Jack's chest, not to come out till
the ship was well at sea when he could not be landed; or, failing that
plan, to run off and enter as a powder-monkey or cabin-boy under a
feigned tame. Go he would he had determined, in some way or other, for
if not, he should certainly fall into a decline, or at all events pine
away till he was fit for nothing. As the Admiral looked at his sturdy
figure and rosy cheeks he burst into a fit of laughter.

"I don't fear any such result even should you meet with a refusal, Tom,"
he observed, wishing to try him a little further.

"Oh, Admiral Triton, you don't think that they would wish to make a
parson or a lawyer of me surely?" exclaimed Tom, in a tone of alarm.

"I cannot say honestly that I consider you cut out exactly for either
profession, though I have no doubt you would do your duty should you be
induced to adopt one or the other," was the answer. "However, I will
speak to your father and mother, and if they give me leave I will see
what can be done for you at the Admiralty, and should there be a vacancy
get you appointed to Jack's ship."

Tom thanked the Admiral from the very bottom of his young heart, though
he felt a qualm at the thoughts of the sorrow he should cause his
mother, even should she consent to part with him her youngest born. It
did not, it must be confessed, last very long, and he looked forward
anxiously to the result of the Admiral's application on his behalf.

Admiral Triton waited till after dinner, when the party were assembled
in the drawing-room to broach the subject. A very short conversation
with Sir John showed him that there would be no strong opposition on his
part, and he accordingly stumped over to Lady Rogers, by whose side he
seated himself on the sofa, sticking out his timber toe and commencing
with a warm eulogy on Jack.

"A right gallant fellow is that son of yours. I knew from the first
that he would t