a bad name you've got of your own," said he. "Mine
is Patrick O'Driscoll. If it happens not to be particularly well known
to fame just yet, I purpose to make it as notorious as it was in the
good old days in my native land."

While O'Driscoll was entertaining us with some racy anecdotes I was sent
for by Captain Hudson into his cabin.

"Take a seat, Mr Hurry," said he, in his usual kind way. "I have an
offer to make which I hope will prove satisfactory to you. Sir Peter
Parker has applied to me for some mates and midshipmen, and I have
especially named you, as I am sure you will do credit to my
recommendation. He has asked also for some of my people, and as you
seem to have attached to you old Nol Grampus and Tom Rockets, they may,
if they wish it, accompany you, for I like to see an officer with
followers. It speaks well for both parties. I have not yet determined
who else I shall send. I have recommended you because I have no doubt
that you will get a step by the change."

I warmly thanked my captain for the kind interest he had shown in my
welfare. And here let me pay a just tribute to the character of my old
commander. A more kind-hearted gentleman, or a braver or better officer
never walked the deck of a man-of-war. I was sorry to leave my
messmates of the Orpheus; but for the reason Captain Hudson gave me, the
opportunity of serving under so distinguished an officer as Sir Peter
Parker was not to be lost. I will pass over all my leave-takings.
Midshipmen are not much addicted to the sentimentals. Let me be
supposed alongside the Chatham, accompanied by Nol Grampus, Tom Rockets,
and the chest which contained all my worldly possessions. Those
possessions were, by-the-bye, considerably decreased in quantity and
value since I left my paternal mansion two years before.

On stepping on board I was met by my red-haired friend.

"Ah! Hurry, my boy, it's myself then is glad to see you!" he exclaimed,
squeezing my fingers and wringing my hand with a vehemence almost
sufficient to dislocate my wrist.

"Happy to meet you," I answered, not letting him discover that he had
hurt me.

This demonstrative mode of greeting was a trick of his, I found, to try,
as he said, what people were made of. Sometimes, however, he caught a
Tartar to his cost. The Chatham's midshipmen were a more rollicking set
than my late shipmates. However, I knew comparatively but little of
them, for, as it turned out, during the g