nfrau's_ commander was soon discovered
on the arrival of the ship at Bremerhaven, when the boys were able to
communicate with their friends and the owners of the _Sea Rover_ in
London, and they were released immediately. But the insult rankled in
their bosoms for some time after, and did not completely disappear, from
David's mind especially, until the _Sea Rover_--which, they heard from
the owners at the same time that they produced proof of the boys'
identity, had already left Melbourne on her return voyage--had got back
safely to the port of London, and Johnny Liston's father and Captain
Markham had greeted their young heroes as if they had been restored from
the dead.

Jonathan received the medal of the Royal Humane Society for his bravery
in plunging overboard to David's assistance; and the two boys are still
the closest and dearest friends in the world, David being third mate,
and Jonathan, who took to the sea for the other's sake, fourth officer
of the _Sea Rover_, at the present moment, "which, when found," as
Captain Cuttle says, "why, make a note on!"

STORY FOUR, CHAPTER ONE.

"BLACK HARRY."

"The cap'en p'r'aps was in fault in the first instance; but then, you
know, it's no place for a man to argue for the right or wrong of a thing
aboard ship. When he signs articles, he's bound to obey orders; and as
everybody must be aware, especially those in the seafaring line, the
captain is king on board his ship when once at sea--king, prime
minister, parliament, judge and jury, and all the rest of it."

"But," said I, "he's under orders and under the law, too, as well as any
other man, isn't he?"

"Yes, when he's ashore," said the mate with the shade over his eye.
"_Then_ he's got to answer for anything he might have done wrong on the
voyage, if the crew likes to haul him up afore the magistrates; but at
sea his word is law, and he can do as he pleases with no hindrance, save
what providence and the elements may interpose."

"And providence _does_ interpose sometimes?" said I.

"Yes, in the most wonderful and mysterious ways," said the mate with the
shade over his eye, speaking in a solemn and awe-struck manner. "Look
at what happened in our case! But stop, as I don't suppose you've heard
the rights of it, I'll tell you all about it."

"Do," said I.

He was the mate of a vessel which had been picked up at sea, disabled
and almost derelict under most peculiar circumstances, with only one
other sur