, you have your answer."

Mr Sawbridge, who imagined that the name of the first-lieutenant would
strike terror to a culprit midshipman, threw himself back in the chair,
and assumed an air of importance.

"Really, sir," replied Jack, "what may be your exact situation on board,
my ignorance of the service will not allow me to guess, but if I may
judge from your behaviour, you have no small opinion of yourself."

"Look ye, young man, you may not know what a first-lieutenant is, and I
take it for granted that you do not, by your behaviour; but depend upon
it, I'll let you know very soon. In the meantime, sir, I insist upon
it, that you go immediately on board."

"I'm sorry that I cannot comply with your very moderate request,"
replied Jack coolly. "I shall go on board when it suits my convenience,
and I beg that you will give yourself no further trouble on my account."

Jack then rang the bell; the waiter, who had been listening outside,
immediately entered, and before Mr Sawbridge, who was dumb with
astonishment at Jack's impertinence, could have time to reply:

"Waiter," said Jack, "show this gentleman downstairs."

"By the god of war!" exclaimed the first-lieutenant, "but I'll soon show
you down to the boat, my young bantam; and when once I get you safe on
board, I'll make you know the difference between a midshipman and a
first-lieutenant."

"I can only admit of _equality_, sir," replied Jack; "we are all born
equal--I trust you'll allow that."

"Equality--damn it, I suppose you'll take the command of the ship.
However, sir, your ignorance will be a little enlightened by-and-by. I
shall now go and report your conduct to Captain Wilson; and I tell you
plainly, that if you are not on board this evening, to-morrow morning,
at daylight, I shall send a sergeant, and a file of marines, to fetch
you."

"You may depend upon it, sir," replied Jack, "that I also shall not fail
to mention to Captain Wilson that I consider you a very quarrelsome,
impertinent fellow, and recommend him not to allow you to remain on
board. It will be quite uncomfortable to be in the same ship with such
an ungentlemanly bear."

"He must be mad--quite mad," exclaimed Sawbridge, whose astonishment
even mastered his indignation. "Mad as a March hare--by God."

"No, sir," replied Jack, "I am not mad, but I am a philosopher."

"A _what_?" exclaimed Sawbridge, "damme, what next?--well, my joker, all
the better for you; I shall put your ph