other officers had not yet joined, but he at once took up his work with
his usual zeal, and spent a busy fortnight looking after the riggers, and
seeing that everything was done in the best manner. He was, however,
somewhat angry to find that Alice's face and figure were constantly
intruding themselves into the cordage and shrouds. "I am becoming a
regular mooncalf," he said angrily to himself. "It is perfectly absurd
that I can't keep my thoughts from wandering away from my work, and for a
girl whom I can hardly dare hope to win. I shall be very glad when we are
off to sea. I'll then have, I won't say something better, but something
else to think of. If this is being in love, certainly it is not the thing
a sailor should engage in. I have often heard it said that a sailor's ship
should be his wife, and I have no longer any doubt about it. But I know
I'll get over it when I hear the first broadside fired."

A week later the first lieutenant joined. His name was Somerville.

"Ah, Mr. Gilmore," he said, "I see you have taken time by the forelock and
given an eye to everything! I only received my appointment two days ago or
I should have joined before. There is nothing like having an officer to
superintend things, and I feel really very much obliged to you for not
having extended your leave, which, of course, you could have done,
especially as, so far as I know, no boatswain has yet been appointed."

"I was glad to get back to work, sir, and it is really very interesting
seeing all the rigging set up from the very beginning."

"That is so, but for all that men don't generally want to rejoin," the
first lieutenant said with a smile. "The difficulty is to get young
officers on board. They hang back, as a rule, till the very last moment.
Well, if you will dine with me this evening, Mr. Gilmore, at the George, I
shall be glad to hear of some of your services. That they are
distinguished I have no doubt, for nothing but the most meritorious
services or extraordinary interest could have gained you at your age the
appointment of second lieutenant in a fine ship like this. I think it a
very good thing for the first lieutenant to know the antecedents of those
serving with him. Such knowledge is very useful to him in any crisis or
emergency."

After dinner that evening Will gave an account of his services, the
lieutenant at times asking for more minute details, especially of the
capture of the two pirates.

"Thank you very muc