on to make an observation, he brought up his, and began in a
methodical way to make preparations for taking one also.

"What, youngster, have you been at sea before?" asked the Captain.

"No, sir, but I have studied navigation, and I want to put my knowledge
into practice."

"Well, now is the time; let us see how you do it."

Roger "shot the sun" in very good style; not only did that, but rapidly
worked out the calculation on a small piece of paper, and it exactly
agreed with that taken by the Captain, who looked well pleased, but it
differed from that of one of the mates, who had made a mistake.

"You will do, my boy," said Captain Roberts. "I will try you with other
observations by and by. Where did you get your knowledge?" Roger told
him. "What, from old Trickett? No wonder you are correct; there is not
a better navigator in Bristol."

Next day Stephen brought out his quadrant and did justice to his
instructor, he also receiving a due amount of praise from the Captain.
The mates looked rather jealous at the two youngsters, who had never
before been to sea, who took observations as well as they could. Before
the _Dolphin_ had got half-way across the Bay of Biscay it fell calm,
and she lay laving her sides in the smooth water, as the swell, which is
seldom wanting there, passed under her keel. For many hours she did not
move her position; the big mizzen, which had been flapping with reports
like thunder, was furled; the other sails were brailed up. Roger, who
was always of a social disposition, took the opportunity of having a
talk with some of the crew. Among them was a black, who, although still
very young, being scarcely more than a boy, had met with many strange
adventures,--among others, he had been made prisoner by the Moors. He
could talk Arabic, he said, as well as English, which was not, by the
by, very correctly. He was called Jack Jumbo on board, but he preferred
being called Felix, a name, he told Roger, some gentlemen had given him
because he was always a merry fellow. He hinted that he had been a
prince in his own country, but he had been carried away at an early age;
he did not know much about it. Roger took a great liking to him, for
from his intelligence and good disposition he was a better companion
than the rough seamen who formed the crew of the _Dolphin_. The only
other person who need be named was Sam Stokes, an old sailor who had
fought under Blake and Admiral Penn, had made ha