pecimens we can shoot."

"By Jove, Bob, what a jolly idea!" cried Tom Long--an officer no longer,
but a regular boy again. "We'll get leave to-night, and start early."

"That we will."

"But are you sure that young Tumongong would be glad to see me too?"

"Ali Latee, his name is, and I've got to call him Al already, and he
called me Bob. Glad? of course he will. I said you'd come too; and I
told such a whopper, Tom."

"What did you say?"

"I told him you were my dearest friend."

"Well, so I am, Bob; only you will get so restive."

"Yes, I always was a restive little beggar," said Bob. "To-morrow
morning then, and--"

"Captain coming, sir."

"Landing-place at daybreak, Tom. Cut," whispered Bob; and the young
ensign rose and leaped ashore, buttoning up his little golden-pill
buttons, as Captain Horton came down the path, and answered his salute
with a friendly nod.

The next minute the water was flashing like fiery silver from the blades
of the oars, and the gig returned to the steamer's side, where Bob began
to prepare for the next day's trip, taking it for granted that he could
get leave.

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

HOW BOB ROBERTS AND TOM LONG ASKED FOR LEAVE.

Very great things come from very small germs, and for a long time
afterwards Captain Horton bitterly regretted that he had been in so easy
and amiable a frame of mind that he had accorded Bob Roberts the holiday
he desired.

He had dined well, and was in that happy state of content that comes
upon a man who is not old, and whose digestion is good.

It was a glorious night, and the captain was seated on deck at a little
table bearing a shaded lamp and his cup of coffee, when Bob respectfully
approached, cap in hand.

"If you please, sir--"

"Who's that? Oh! Roberts. Here; go down to the cabin, Roberts, and
fetch my cap. I don't want to catch cold."

"Yes, sir."

"Hi! stop, my boy! Here; lend me your cap till you come back."

It was a very undignified proceeding, but Captain Horton had a horror of
colds in the head, and would far rather have been undignified than catch
one. So he took the little, natty gold-laced cap held out to him, and
stuck it upon his pate.

"Bless my soul!" he exclaimed. "What a stupid little head you've got,
Roberts."

"Yes, sir," said the lad sharply, "very; but it will grow, sir."

"Then I hope it won't grow more stupid, boy. There, be quick!"

Bob ran down to the captain's cabin, and obtaine