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away at ropes till Tom felt more bewildered than he had ever before been
in his life, and narrowly escaped being knocked over several times in
spite of the efforts he made to keep out of the way. However, his
experiences were only those of midshipmen in general when they first
join a ship.

Tom had been advised by Jack to learn all about the masts and rigging as
soon as possible, and he accordingly set to work without delay, asking
questions of every one whom he for a moment saw standing quiet, and was
likely to answer him. Harry Bevan told him a good deal, as did the
other midshipmen, no one showing a disposition to humbug him, possibly
on Jack's account, who would have found them out if they had. Before
night Tom began to fancy that he really knew something about a ship,
though it might be some time before he could consider himself a thorough
sailor.

Though the captain lived on shore, the first lieutenant had taken up his
quarters on board; Jack finding plenty to do, and being economically
inclined followed his example. A fine-looking corvette, the _Tudor_,
was fitting out a little way higher up the harbour. Jack scanned her
with a seaman's eye, and thought that had he not been appointed to the
frigate he should like to belong to her. It was still uncertain to what
station the _Plantagenet_ would be sent. No great difficulty, however,
was found in getting men to enter for her. Sailors look more to the
captain and officers than to the part of the world to which they are to
go. One clime to them is much the same as another. They are as ready
to go to the North Pole as to the coast of Africa, if they like the ship
and the commander. Captain Hemming bore a good character, as did
Lieutenants Cherry and Rogers, among those who had ever sailed with
them. No persons are more thoroughly discussed than are naval officers
by seamen; the wheat is completely sifted from the chaff, the gold from
the alloy; and many who pass for very fine fellows on shore are looked
upon as arrant pretenders afloat. Jack was making his way towards the
shop of Mr Woodward the bookseller, when two seamen in a happy state of
indifferentism to all sublunary affairs came rolling out of the street
which debouches on the Common Hard near the Dockyard gates.

"I say, Dick, if that bean't Jack Rogers, say I never broke biscuit!"
exclaimed one of the men, pointing ahead with out-stretched arm.

"No doubt about it, Ben," answered his compa