I'll teach you how to use the gloves."

"Oh, if I wasn't on duty!" panted the middy furiously. "I haven't got a
card with me, but give me yours. We may meet again."

"Hope we shall, I'm sure," said Rodd. "I say, reefer, don't be so jolly
disappointed because you won't have the price of half a nigger for
prize-money."

"Pah!" ejaculated the middy furiously; and turning his back upon Rodd he
stepped to the side and looked over into the boat, to run his eye
furiously over her crew, who were all sitting upon the alert, ready for
any order that might be given.

But as he turned away and faced inboard, to his annoyance he found Rodd
close up, smiling carelessly in his face.

"I say, reefer," he said, "you do look hot."

"Sir!" snapped out the middy, trying to look the boy down.

"I say, don't be so waxy because you are disappointed."

"I beg, sir, that you will not address your remarks to me; and please
recollect that you and yours are not out of the wood yet."

"All right; only look here; your lads have had a long row, and you have
got another one back. Let's give the poor fellows a bucket of water,
and I'll pour a bottle of our lime-juice in and some syrup. It makes a
splendid drink. Look there; those two red herrings of yours have begun
licking their dry lips at the very thought of it."

The midshipman seemed to give himself a snatch, but he glanced at the
two marines, and then turned and looked over into the boat, for he was
horribly thirsty himself.

"Dry, my lads?" he said. "Like some water?"

"Thankye, sir!" came in chorus, and Rodd called out at once--

"Joe Cross! Bucket of fresh water--two pannikins! And is the steward
there?"

"Ay, ay, sir!"

"Two bottles of lime-juice and some syrup for the boat's crew and
marines."

Just then Uncle Paul's head appeared above the cabin hatch, and he
stepped on deck, coming forward to where the two lads were, Rodd smiling
and good-humoured, the middy wearing the aspect of the celebrated dog
which had been pelted with big marrow-bones, upon each of which reposed
a thick juicy bit of beef.

"Lieutenant Branscombe says will you step down and join us for a few
minutes, Mr Lindon."

"Does he want me, sir?"

"Only to partake of a little refreshment this thirsty night."

"That's right," cried. Rodd. "You go on down with uncle. I'll see
that your lads have plenty."

"Er--er--no grog, please," said the middy hastily.

"Not a drop, honour bright," sa