"And I can say, sir, that Ralph Michelmore speaks the truth. He's an
old shipmate of mine, and I never heard him tell the shadow of a lie,"
said Dick Bracewell, stepping aft and doffing his hat. "He could have
made his escape before he was brought aboard if he'd had a mind to do
it, but he wouldn't because he'd passed his word that he'd stay quiet,
and the officer who pressed us knows it and can say so if he likes."

The old mate who had commanded the press-gang, and was now attending to
his duties on the lower deck, was sent for, and at once corroborated
what Dick had said, explaining at the same time the circumstances of
Ralph's capture.

"I believe you, and you may return to your duty," said the captain,
looking at Ralph. "For your sake I am sorry that you were pressed,
though I am glad to have got so smart a seaman as you appear to be; and
if you turn out as I expect, you may have no reason to regret that you
were compelled to join this ship. Pipe down."

The men went below or forward to their respective duties.

"Well, my lad," said the old sailor who had spoken to Ralph in the boat,
coming up to him, "I'm right glad you've got out of that scrape, and, as
I said afore, if ever you want a friend you'll find Jacob Crane a
staunch one. I can feel for you, lad; I can feel for you."

"Thank you, Jacob," answered Ralph, putting out his hand to grasp that
of the speaker, who wrung his heartily.

"Have you ever before served in a King's ship?" asked Jacob.

"No, I have never so much as been on board one before," said Ralph.

"Then I can be of use to you in putting you up to a thing or two," said
old Jacob, and forthwith he began to explain the way in which the duty
was carried on.

Ralph listened attentively, and made such good use of the knowledge he
had gained that he was able from the first to do his duty as well as any
one. He was fortunately stationed at the gun of which Jacob was
captain, and the old sailor took pains to instruct him in handling it.
Naval gunnery not being in those days the art it has since become he was
soon a proficient.

"How, my lad, came you to say that you have never before served on board
a man-of-war?" asked the first lieutenant one day, observing his
activity.

"Nor have I, sir," answered Ralph, touching his hat. "I never handled a
gun before I joined this ship."

"You do very well, then, and may look out for a higher rating before
long," observed Mr Handsel, passing on.