knew him best were very sure that he was capable of daring and doing,
should an opportunity occur, as much as any man, and Owen was naturally
drawn towards him. For some time he was the only person in the mess
with whom he had much conversation. By degrees Owen's messmates forgot
that he had been a boy before the mast, and treated him as one of
themselves. He thus found the position as pleasant as he could desire,
until one day while the frigates were in harbour Reginald Ashurst made
his appearance on board.

"I'm come to take up my berth among you again," he said to Langton. "I
should be very well pleased if it were not for having that little
upstart Hartley in our mess. I expected that he would have been sent
home before this. I wonder why the captain was induced to retain him?"

"I should think because he finds him very well qualified for the duties
he has to perform," answered Langton. "If you had seen as much of him
as we have, I think that you would have no reason to find fault with
him."

"Birds of a feather flock together," muttered Ashurst, as he turned
away.

Langton heard the remark, but took no notice of it. Owen had again a
good deal to endure from Ashurst, and his temper was sorely tried.
Often a retort rose to his lips, though he refrained from uttering it.
A month or more went by. The two frigates had come round to the
northern end of Celebes.

Captain Stanhope sent the "Venus" on to Batavia, while the "Sylvia"
stood in for the port of Gorontello in the Bay of Tomonie, which place
had been taken from the Dutch, and which was governed by a native prince
who had declared his attachment to the British Government. Captain
Stanhope's object was to communicate with the sultan, and to present him
with some presents in order to retain his friendship. The frigate,
however, had got within eight or ten miles from the port when it came on
a perfect calm. Bringing the ship to an anchor the captain resolved to
go on shore in the pinnace. He took with him Langton, Ashurst, and
Owen, as also the purser, who went to purchase fresh provisions.

A small party of marines accompanied him to act as a guard of honour.
The frigate being to the southward of the port, the boat after a long
pull reached Gorontello. The visit to the sultan was paid, and passed
off satisfactorily, although the ceremonies occupied a longer time than
the captain had expected. The purser had purchased his stores, and got
them on