in my uniform as it
is."

"Ah, you'll get there all right," said Dan cheerfully; "and when you get
home no doubt you 've got friends, and if it seems to you as you 'd like
to give a little more to them as assisted you in the hour of need, you
won't be ungrateful, my lad, I know. You ain't the sort."

With these words old Dan, patting him affectionately, retired, and the
soldier lay trying to sleep in his narrow quarters until he was aroused
by a grip on his arm.

"If you want a mouthful of fresh air you 'd better come on deck now,"
said the voice of Joe; "it's my watch. You can get all the sleep you
want in the daytime."

Glad to escape from such stuffy quarters, Private Smith clambered out of
his bunk and followed the other on deck. It was a fine clear night, and
the schooner was going along under a light breeze; the seaman took the
wheel, and, turning to his companion, abruptly inquired what he meant by
deserting and worrying them with six foot four of underdone lobster.

"It's all through my girl," said Private Smith meekly; "first she jilted
me, and made me join the army; now she's chucked the other fellow, and
wrote to me to go back."

"An' now I s'pose the other chap'll take your place in the army," said
Joe. "Why, a gal like that could fill a regiment, if she liked. Pah!
They'll nab you too, in that uniform, and you'll get six months, and
have to finish your time as well."

"It's more than likely," said the soldier gloomily. "I've got to tramp
to Manchester in these clothes, as far as I can see."

"What did you give old Dan all your money for?" inquired Joe.

"I was only thinking of getting away at first," said Smith, "and I had
to take what was offered."

"Well, I'll do what I can for you," said the seaman. "If you're in love,
you ain't responsible for your actions. I remember the first time I got
the chuck. I went into a public-house bar, and smashed all the glass
and bottles I could get at. I felt as though I must do something. If you
were only shorter, I'd lend you some clothes."

"You're a brick," said the soldier gratefully.

"I haven't got any money I could lend you either," said Joe. "I never do
have any, somehow. But clothes you must have."

He fell into deep thought, and cocked his eye aloft as though
contemplating a cutting-out expedition on the sails, while the soldier,
sitting on the side of the ship, waited hopefully for a miracle.

"You'd better get below again," said Joe presently