tain already?"

"Why, just look at our Billy True Blue here," observed Peter Ogle,
putting his hand on the shoulder of the lad who has just been described.
"See, a few years has made a great change in him from the weak little
baby he was when he was shipmate with the youngster."

The boy smiled as he looked at his own strong fists and arms, and then
glanced at the countenances of his friends.

"To be sure--to be sure," said Paul Pringle. "He was a fine
true-hearted boy, and there's no doubt he'll prove a brave, dashing, and
a good captain. Let's hear what Tom Snell, Marline, and the rest say to
the matter."

They waited till the other seamen came up. With the latter was a
one-legged black man, with a fiddle-case under his arm. He was no other
than Sam Smatch, who had, ever since the last war, followed the fortunes
of Paul Pringle and his old shipmates. The whole party were now grouped
together before the placard, with Billy True Blue in the centre. They
were not left long to consult together without interruption, for the
placard served the purpose for which a bait is hung up in a wood, or
placed at the bottom of a pit, while the hunter stands by to watch for
the appearance of the animals it may attract. In this case, the first
lieutenant of the _Ruby_ was acting the part of the hunter. He had
taken a survey of the men from a shop window, and speedily made his
appearance on the spot. They knew him by the single simple epaulette on
his shoulder. He addressed them at once in a free, hearty tone.

"Well, my lads, you see what's wanted," said he. "If you wish to serve
under one of the smartest, bravest officers in the Navy, you will join
the _Ruby_. We want some prime hands like most of you. Come, which of
you will join? Say the word and stick to it."

"Why, sir, d'ye see, we all goes together, or we doesn't go at all,"
said Paul Pringle, stepping forward. "We've been shipmates off and on
for many years, and we wish to be so till we lays up in ordinary again."

"I may, perhaps, be able to arrange that matter," answered the
lieutenant, not liking to show all the satisfaction he felt, or to yield
too soon to the demands the men might make. "But that boy, now?
Perhaps we may have boys enough on board already. I suppose you don't
wish to take him to sea?"

"Not him, sir! If he doesn't go, none on us goes," answered Paul
briskly.

"None on us," echoed all the other godfathers.

"He is your son, I con