others had submitted to him without a sufficient trial; Jack, on the
contrary, had won his way up in school by hard and scientific combat:
the result, therefore, may easily be imagined. In less than a quarter
of an hour Vigors, beaten dead, with his eyes closed, and three teeth
out, gave in; while Jack, after a basin of water, looked as fresh as
ever, with the exception of a few trifling scratches.

The news of this victory was soon through the ship; and before Jack had
resumed his clothes, it had been told confidentially by Sawbridge to the
captain.

"So soon!" said Captain Wilson, laughing; "I expected that a
midshipman's berth would do wonders; but I did not expect this, yet
awhile. This victory is the first severe blow to Mr Easy's equality,
and will be more valuable than twenty defeats. Let him now go to his
duty: he will soon find his level."

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

IN WHICH OUR HERO PROVES THAT ALL ON BOARD SHOULD EQUALLY SACRIFICE
DECENCY TO DUTY.

The success of any young man in a profession very much depends upon the
occurrences at the commencement of his career, as from those is his
character judged, and he is treated accordingly. Jack had chosen to
enter the Service at a much later period than most lads; he was tall and
manly for his age, and his countenance, if not strictly handsome, wore
that expression of honesty and boldness which is sure to please. His
spirit in not submitting to, and meeting Vigors when he had hardly
recovered from his severe prostration of sea-sickness, had gained him
with the many respect, and with all, except his antagonist and Mr
Smallsole, goodwill. Instead of being laughed at by his messmates, he
was played with; for Jolliffe smiled at his absurdities, and attempted
to reason him out of them, and the others liked Jack for himself and his
generosity, and, more over, because they looked up to him as a protector
against Vigors, who had persecuted them all; for Jack had declared, that
as might was right in a midshipman's berth, he would so far restore
equality, that if he could not put down those who were the strongest, at
all events he would protect the weak, and, let who would come into the
berth, they must be his master before they should tyrannise over those
weaker than he.

Thus did Jack Easy make the best use that he could of his strength, and
become, as it were, the champion and security of those who, although
much longer at sea and more experienced than he was, w