to the captain's order, is not
that as bad as disobeying the captain? I think that I have made out a
very strong case, and my arguments are not to be confuted."

"I'm afraid that the master will make out a very strong case, and that
your arguments will never be heard."

"That will be contrary to all the rules of justice."

"But according to all the rules of service."

"I do believe that I am a great fool," observed Jack, after a pause.
"What do you imagine made me come to sea, Jolliffe?"

"Because you did not know when you were well off," replied the mate
dryly.

"That's true enough; but my reason was, because I thought I should find
that equality here that I could not find on shore."

Jolliffe stared.

"My dear boy, I heard you say that you obtained those opinions from your
father; I mean no disrespect to him, but he must be either mad or
foolish, if at his age he has not yet discovered that there is no such
thing in existence."

"I begin to think so," replied Jack; "but that does not prove that there
ought not to be."

"I beg your pardon; the very non-existence proves that it ought not to
be--`whatever is, is right'--you might as well expect to find perfect
happiness or perfection in the individual. Your father must be a
visionary."

"The best thing that I can do is to go home again."

"No, my dear Easy, the best thing that you can do is to stay in the
service, for it will soon put an end to all such nonsensical ideas; and
it will make you a clever, sensible fellow. The service is a rough, but
a good school, where everybody finds his level--not the level of
equality, but the level which his natural talent and acquirements will
rise or sink him to, in proportion as they are plus or minus. It is a
noble service, but has its imperfections, as everything in this world
must have. I have little reason to speak in its favour, as far as I am
concerned, for it has been hard bread to me, but there must be
exceptions in every rule. Do not think of quitting the service until
you have given it a fair trial. I am aware that you are an only son,
and your father is a man of property, and, therefore, in the common
parlance of the world, you are independent; but, believe me, no man,
however rich, is independent, unless he has a profession, and you will
find no better than this, notwithstanding--"

"What?"

"That you will be, most certainly, sent to the mast-head to-morrow."

"We'll argue that point," replied