as she glided on before the wind. Poor David felt very sick and
wretched; more than once he thought he must give in, but Harry cheered
him by exclaiming--

"Let us show that we are Englishmen, and at all events that we are not
to be daunted by any work these Frenchmen can give us."

Thus encouraged, David, who really had as much spirit as Harry,
determined to persevere. The work, however, progressed more slowly than
on the previous day. Several times the captain came on deck and watched
them; they continued their work as it they did not observe him. By the
time it was completed, as may be supposed, their clothing was entirely
spoiled. As they stepped on deck he grinned at them maliciously.

"Ah! now you look what you must in future expect to be," he remarked;
"go forward and stow away those buckets, and then come aft to me."

"I wonder what he is going to make us do next?" said Harry, as they
handed the buckets over to the boatswain. Poor David, overcome with the
heat, scarcely answered. A cup of water which he had obtained from a
cask on deck somewhat revived him.

"Well, we must go aft, and face it out as best we can," he answered;
"come along, I'm ready."

The captain ordered them into his cabin.

"Now, lads, I want that furniture cleaned; the brass has not been
burnished for some time." He put some leather into their hands. The
difficulty of the work was not so great, but it was evidently given to
insult them on account of its menial character. Harry especially felt
this. Still they had no resource but to obey, and scrubbed away with
might and main. At last the captain came below.

"Now, you young English midshipman, I've some special work for you to
do. See that locker; there are several pairs of boots and shoes--you'll
find a blacking-bottle and brushes. I want them cleaned." Harry's
proud spirit rose within him. Should he defy the tyrannical captain,
and declare that he would die sooner than so employ himself? The
captain seemed to divine his thoughts.

"As you please, youngster," he observed; "no one disobeys me on board
this vessel."

Harry remembered the shark, and the captain's threat on the previous
day.

"Oh! I will help you," said David, looking at him.

"No, it is his work," said the captain.

Poor Harry saw there was no use in offering any resistance, and taking
out the brushes began to clean the shoes. It was a work which a
midshipman in those days often had to perfor