t it's going to be before I am set aboard some ship?"

"Ah, that's more than anybody can say," replied Poole quietly.

Fitz was silent for a few moments, and then said sharply--

"What's the name of the port for which you are making sail?"

"Name of the port?" said Poole.

"Yes; you heard what I said, and I want to know."

"Yes; it's only natural that you would," said Poole. "I say, shall I
get the tackle now?"

"No; I want an answer to my question," replied Fitz, firing up again.

"Well, I can't tell you. That's my father's business. We are sailing
under what you would call sealed orders on board a Queen's ship."

"That's shuffling," cried Fitz angrily, with the black clouds coming
over the little bit of sunshine that lit up his face after his soup.
"Now, sir, I order you to tell me, an officer in the Queen's service,
where this schooner is bound."

Poole was silent. "Do you hear me, sir?"

"Oh yes, I hear," said Poole, "but I am in a state of mutiny, and I'm
going to ask old Butters to lend me his long line and hooks."

He moved towards the door as he spoke, but Fitz shouted to him to stop.

It was all in vain, for the lad closed the door and shut in the
midshipman's angry face.

"Gone!" ejaculated Fitz. "He's too much for me now; but only just wait
till I get well and strong!"

CHAPTER TEN.

WHAT FITZ WANTED.

"What do you think of this for weather?" said Poole, one morning.
"Isn't it worth sailing right away to get into such seas as this?"

"Yes," said Fitz dreamily, as he lay on one side in his berth with his
hand under his cheek, gazing through the cabin-window at the beautiful
glancing water; "it is very lovely."

"Doesn't it make you feel as if you were getting quite well?"

"I think it would," said the boy, almost as if speaking to himself; "it
would be all right enough if a fellow could feel happy."

"Well," said Poole, "you ought to begin to now. Just see how you've
altered. Father says you are to come up this afternoon as soon as the
heat of the day has passed."

"Come on deck?" cried Fitz, brightening. "Ah! That's less like being a
prisoner."

"A prisoner!" said Poole merrily. "Hark at him! Why, you are only a
visitor, having a pleasant cruise. Father's coming directly," he added
hastily, for he saw the look of depression coming back into the boy's
face. "He says this is the last time he shall examine your head, and
that you won't want doctoring any more. Come,