the boatswain was a great thing, but that of their sailor friend was
better. They hoped that he would be told off to the ship in which they
went, for they felt sure that he would be a valuable friend to them. The
life on board the cutter, too, had been pleasant, and altogether they
congratulated themselves on the course they had taken.

"I have no doubt we shall like it very much when we are once settled. They
look a rough lot down below, and that sentry standing with a loaded musket
at the gangway shows pretty well what sort of men they are. I am not
surprised that the pressed men should try to get away, but I have no pity
for the drunken fellows who joined when they had spent their last
shilling. Our fishermen go on a spree sometimes, but not often, and when
they do, they quarrel and fight a bit, but they always go to work the next
morning."

"That is a different thing altogether, for I heard that in the towns men
will spend every penny they have, give up work altogether, and become
idle, lazy loafers."

Two days later, to the great satisfaction of the boys, a large cutter
flying the white ensign was seen approaching the harbour. No doubt was
entertained that she was the receiving-ship. This was confirmed when the
officer in charge of the depot-ship was rowed to the new arrival as soon
as the anchor was dropped. A quarter of an hour later he returned, and it
became known that the new hands were to be taken to Portsmouth. The next
morning two boats rowed alongside. Will could not but admire the neat and
natty appearance of the crew, which formed a somewhat striking contrast to
the slovenly appearance of the gang on the depot-ship. A list of the new
men was handed over to the officer in charge, and these were at once
transferred to the big cutter.

Here everything was exquisitely clean and neat. The new-comers were at
once supplied with uniforms, and told off as supernumeraries to each
watch. Will and Tom received no special orders, and were informed that
they were to make themselves generally useful. Beyond having to carry an
occasional message from one or other of the midshipmen, or boatswain,
their duties were of the lightest kind. They helped at the distribution of
the messes, the washing of the decks, the paring of the potatoes for
dinner, and other odd jobs. When not wanted they could do as they pleased,
and Will employed every spare moment in gaining what information he could
from his friend Dimchurch, or from