be disheartened should you
receive a rebuff. If you ask me, and I don't know, I'll try and get
information from some one."

Nat followed this advice, and improved rapidly. The first mate had now
no legitimate excuse for ill-treating him, but it seemed,
notwithstanding that his ill-feeling towards the lad had increased, so
that even on the most trivial pretexts he would give him a taste of the
rope's end. Midge, although he keenly felt the ill-treatment he
received, did not resent it. Of course the example set by the mate was
followed by the badly disposed among the crew, who unmercifully bullied
poor Nat.

Owen, observing this, was highly indignant.

"You should complain to the captain. I am sure that he would not allow
it," observed Owen.

"If I do I shall only be worse off than ever, for the mate will bring
proof that I deserve all I get," answered Nat.

"But I can bear evidence in your favour," said Owen.

"The mate will prove that you know nothing about the matter, that you do
not see how I behave, and I shall be treated ten times as badly as
before," said poor Nat. "Tom Dicker, who has made two voyages, says
that he had to go through as much as I have, and advised me to grin and
bear it. Sometimes it is more than I feel I can do, and I am like to
jump overboard."

"Don't allow so dreadful a thought to enter your mind," exclaimed Owen.

"O no, no! I don't really think of doing it," answered Nat. "I should
miss the object for which I came to sea. I have a number of brothers
and sisters, and no father or mother. I want to become a sailor, and
make money and help to support them, for there is only our old
grandmother left, and it is a hard matter for her to feed and clothe
them."

Owen, on hearing this, became more resolved than ever to protect Nat.
He thought over various plans, and at last decided that the next time he
saw the boy punished unjustly he would speak privately but boldly to the
mate, and try to talk him out of such conduct, but that if he did not
succeed, he would tell the captain and clearly explain how matters
stood. Nat might be somewhat saved by being removed into the second
mate's watch, although he would still of course be subjected to
ill-treatment in the day-time when all hands were on deck. He had not
long to wait. A paint pot had been upset. The mate came forward, and
Nat was, by some of his enemies, pointed out as the culprit, whereupon
Mr Scoones, calling him up, ga