with as much strut in him as a bantam.

On the other hand, Tom Long declared the middy to be a most offensive
little rascal, with impertinence enough in him for a dozen men. He was
determined to cut him dead--that he was, and he would have no more to do
with him.

Result the very next day:

Bob Roberts hurried down into the captain's gig, sitting there very
eager and excited; for they were going to the island, and he had a plan
in his head.

The captain came to the side and down the ladder, the gig was pushed
off, the crew's oars fell into the bright river with one splash, and as
they did so Bob Roberts forgot all the respect due to his commander, by
suddenly catching him by the arm.

"Look, look, sir. See that?"

"No, Mr Roberts," said the captain rather sternly, "but I felt it."

"I beg your pardon, sir," said Bob, saluting. "It was a great
crocodile, and the splash of the men's oars frightened it."

"Oh, indeed," said the captain dryly; and he took out a despatch and
began to read.

Dick, who was coxswain of the gig, screwed up his mahogany visage, and
Bob pretended to look terribly alarmed, and so the boat was rowed over
the sparkling waters to the bamboo landing-stage, when the captain got
out, and Bob was left in charge of the boat.

Bob jumped up as soon as the captain had entered the residency, and
began to fidget about.

"I wish I knew how long the skipper would be, Dick," he said. "I want
to go ashore. No, I don't," he said, correcting himself. "I got in a
row once for that. But look here, Dick, suppose you go and find Mr
Long."

"All right, sir," said Dick, with alacrity. "I'll go."

"Oh no, you don't," cried Bob, recollecting himself again; "that fly
won't take the same cock salmon twice, Master Dick."

"I don't understand you, sir," growled Dick, rubbing his ear.

"Oh no, I suppose not," said Bob. "You didn't go ashore for me once
with a message, and then get up to the canteen and forgot to come back
again, did you?"

"Lor', now you mention it, sir, so I did," said Dick. "It was that day
as I met Sergeant Lund, and he says, `Why, Dick, old man,' he says, `you
look as dry and thirsty,' he says, `as a fish. Come and have some lime
juice and water,' and I did, and talking together about the `Startler'
and her guns, and earth-works, made me quite forget how the time went
by. But lor', Mr Roberts, sir, what a memory you have to be sure."

"Yes," said Bob, sticking his cap on one