icked off first, and that that is the reason there are more small
sailors than large ones. I wonder what Billy has to say about it?"

True Blue, thus appealed to, was nothing loth to join in trying to
increase the evident terror of Gipples. "Oh, as to that, I've heard
tell how these powder tubs on which we are made to sit sometimes catches
fire and blows the fellows on them like sky-rockets into the air,"
remarked Billy, laughing. "Mind, it's what I've heard tell of, though I
never saw it. But I did see once a ship and a whole ship's company
blown up together; and, mates, I hope I may never see the same sight
again. I was a little chap then, and I saw some sad things that day,
but I remember that one just as clearly as if it happened a week ago."

"Well, I do think it's a shame we small chaps, as have never done
anybody any harm, should be made to sit here to be shot at by them
Monsieurs out there--that I do," continued Tim Fid. "For my part, I do
think that the Captain ought to let us little ones go down and stow
ourselves comfortably away in the hold. Don't you, Gipples?"

Gipples, not perceiving that Tim was joking, looked up and said in a
half-crying tone:

"Yes, I do; if any on you chaps will come, I'll bolt--that I will."

On this there was a general laugh.

"I'd just like to see you," said Tim, "whether you'd go down or come up
the fastest. If every man was to do as you'd do, I should like to know
what would become of the ship. The sooner you goes home and learns to
hem or sell dog's meat the better."

The wretched Gipples saw that his feelings gained no sympathy. He tried
to back out of his proposal, but his tormentors were in no way inclined
to let him alone, till at last they made so much noise that they were
called to order by the men standing at the guns nearest them.

Presently, too, the deep-toned voice of the Captain was heard.

"Silence there, fore and aft!" he exclaimed. "We have an enemy in
sight, of equal if not greater force. We must take her, of course, but
the sooner we take her the less loss and the more honour we shall gain.
I intend to wait till we are close alongside before we open our fire. I
shall take off my hat--wait till I lift it above my head; and then, my
lads, I expect you'll give her a right good dose of our shot."

The seamen raised three hearty cheers. British sailors are always ready
for that; and directly afterwards the taunt masts and white canvas of
the F