p was a first class freighter and passage vessel, and on the
home voyage we had plenty of ladies. 'Twas surprisin' to see how natural
like the boy took to 'em, and how they all liked him. He was constantly
learning something, and soon got so he could parley vou like a real
frog-eating Frenchman. And then, as I said before, he took the sun and
worked up the the ship's reckoning like a commodore. Well, do ye se,
messmates, we made a second and third voyage together in that ship, and
when master Will Ratlin--for that was a name we give him when he first
came on board, and he's kept it ever since--was a matter of fourteen
years, he was nearly as big as he is now, and acted as mate, and through
I say it, who ought to know somewhat about those things, I never seed a
better seaman of twice his years, always savin' present company,
messmates."

"In course, Bill," growled three or four of his messmates, heartily.

"Well, do ye see, messmates, we continued together in the same ship for
the matter of five years, and then master Will and I shipped in another
Indiaman, and we were in the 'Birmingham' for three years or more. One
day we lay off the Cape on the home passage, and a half dozen of us got
shore leave for a few hours, and I among the rest, and somehow I got
rather more grog aboard than I could stow, and when I came off, the
captain swore at me like a pirate, and after I got sober triced me up to
the main rigging for a round dozen. When all hands were called to
witness punishment, shiver my timbers, if master Will Ratlin, who was
the first mate, didn't walk boldly up to the captain, and say, blunt and
honest:

"'Captain Brace, Marline is an old and favorite seaman, and if you will
let this offence pass without further punishment, I will answer for his
future good behaviour, at all times. I ask it, sir, as a personal
favor.'

"'But discipline, discipline must be observed, Mr. Ratlin.'

"'I acknowledge he's in fault, sir,' said our mate.

"'And deserves the punishment,' said the captain.

"'I fear he does, sir; but yet I can't bear to see a good seaman
flogged, said the mate, apologetically.

"'Nor I either,' said the captain; 'but Bill Marline deserves the cat,
though as you make it a personal matter, why I'll let him off this time,
Mr. Ratlin.'

"The captain didn't wish to let me go, but he said he wished to gratify
his mate, and so I was cast loose, and after a broadside of advice, and
a hurricane of oaths, was