eech.

Murray said something of the same sort.

While the three old school-fellows were carrying on an animated
conversation, a third midshipman had joined Tom and Archy.

"Will ye be after telling me, if ye plase, who are those two leetenants
my Uncle Terence is talking to?" he said, as he stepped up to them and
made them a polite bow with his cap. Archy returned it, but Tom, who
had discovered that it was not the fashion for midshipmen to bow to each
other, only laughed, and asked as he pointed with his chin at the three
lieutenants--

"Do you mean that merry-looking fellow between those two?"

"That same sure," was the answer.

Tom explained who they were, adding, "And who are you, and what ship do
you belong to?"

"Sure I don't belong to one at all at all, but my Uncle, Terence Adair,
is to be third lieutenant of the _Plantagenet_ frigate, and I'm to be a
midshipman with him; and in the matter of my name, I'm Gerald Desmond,
of Ballymacree Castle, in County Clare, Ireland."

"Well, Mr Gerald Desmond, of Bally--what do you call it, County Clare,
Ireland? I have the pleasure of informing you that you are to be a
messmate of mine, and as I've heard a good deal of your uncle, Paddy
Adair, from my brother Jack, I shall be very happy to welcome you on
board and to introduce you to the other fellows."

Gerald expressed himself much obliged to Tom for the intended favour.

"But ye'll not be after calling my Uncle Terence, Paddy, if ye plase,"
he added, his Irish blood rising with the idea that some disrespect was
shown to his relative.

"Don't trouble yourself about that, my dear fellow," said Tom, who never
wished to quarrel with any one. "My brother Jack always calls him so,
and the Paddy slipped out by mistake; but you may be very sure that
you'll be Paddy Desmond from the hour you step on board, and for ever
after unless there's another Irishman to deprive you of the title,
though, probably, there'll then be a brace of Paddies."

"Faith, I'm not ashamed of my country, and I am perfectly happy to be
Paddy Desmond if you and the other boys like to call me so," answered
Gerald, laughing.

Adair finding that it was not necessary to go on board the frigate
immediately, accompanied his two friends into Portsmouth, the three
young midshipmen following in their wake, Gerald having first been
introduced to Jack and Alick. The youngsters were fast friends from
that moment, laughing and rattling away, and playi