had a lingering hope that Captain Mudge would come off in time with the
protection. How cruelly that hope was disappointed has been seen. With
intense anxiety he had watched for the boat: he had seen her at length
approaching. Already the capstan had been manned, and the men were
tramping round against the pawls, the fifes playing merrily, to run the
anchor up to the bows. While stationed at the fore-topsail braces, as
he looked through a port he had recognised Jessie in the _Amity's_ boat.
The temptation to bid her farewell was greater than he could resist.
The brace was belayed: he sprang into the rigging that Jessie might see
him. A midshipman observing the boat, and thinking that he was about to
spring overboard to her, ordered him to be seized, and suddenly he found
himself dragged down on deck and placed under charge of the
master-at-arms for attempting to desert.

Ralph had now more reason than ever to be cast down. The offence with
which he was charged was a serious one, yet the consciousness that he
had no intention of committing it supported him. For long he was kept
in suspense, while the ship with her attendant merchantmen was making an
offing from the land before shaping a course down Channel. At length he
was conducted between two marines to the quarter-deck, where Captain
Shortland and his officers were standing and a large portion of the crew
were assembled.

"I must have you understand, my lads, that I intend to maintain strict
discipline on board this ship. I shall have an eye on those who do
their duty, and on those who neglect it. I never forgive an offence,
and shall severely punish drunkenness, insubordination, and desertion,
or attempt at desertion: and I intend to make an example of the man who
was, I am informed, about to try to desert from the ship." And the
captain looked at Ralph, who stood between his guards. All eyes were
turned towards him. "What is his name?" asked the captain of the first
lieutenant. On being told, he continued, "Ralph Michelmore, after
having entered as one of this ship's company, you were about to desert
to a boat which had come off to receive you, and I shall give you two
dozen lashes as a warning to yourself and others for the future."

"I had no intention of deserting, sir," answered Ralph, firmly. "The
boat brought off the master of the brig to which I belong, with my
protection, and I could easily have slipped through a port had I wished
it."