d the required piece of
headgear, with which he returned to the quarter-deck, where the captain
was sipping his coffee, apparently oblivious of the fact that he had
sent for his cap.

"Your cap, sir."

"Oh, ah! to be sure! yes, of course. Thank you, Roberts. Exchange is
no robbery, as we used to say at Harrow. You needn't wait."

"Thank you, sir; no, sir, but--"

"Now what is it, Roberts? You know I don't like to be troubled after
dinner."

"Yes, sir; but I beg your pardon, sir. Might I have leave to go ashore
to-morrow?"

"Yes--no. What, in the name of goodness, do you mean, Mr Roberts, by
coming and asking me? Go to the first lieutenant."

"Please, sir, I'm very sorry to trouble you, but he's dining at the
residency."

"Then why didn't you wait till he came back?"

"Because, sir, please sir, Mr Wilson's always cross when he has been
out to dine. He's not like you, sir."

The captain started up in his chair, and gazed full in the lad's face.

"You're a nice boy, Roberts," he said; "but don't you try any of that
impudent flattery on with me again."

"No, sir. I beg pardon, sir, but may I go?"

"Wait till the first lieutenant comes back, sir, and ask him."

"But please, sir, it's important."

"What is?"

"That I should have leave to-morrow, sir."

"Where are you going, then?"

"Please, sir, I _was_ going shooting."

"Oh!" said his captain, laughing; "then that's what you call important,
eh? Well, I don't know what to say. Have there been any complaints
against you lately?"

"Two or three, sir," said Bob; "but I have been trying very hard, sir,"
he added earnestly, "to do my duty."

"Humph!" said the captain. "Well, I was a youngster myself once. I
suppose you'd be very much disappointed if I said _no_?"

"Yes, sir; very much."

"Humph! Who's going with you?"

"Ensign Long, sir, if he can get leave."

"Well, Roberts, you can go; but be careful with your guns. And look
here, don't do anything to annoy the Malays. Don't go near their
religious places, or get trespassing."

"No, sir, I'll be very careful."

"Any one else going?"

"Ali Latee, sir, the Tumongong's son."

"Very well. Be off!"

"Yes, sir, thank you, sir," cried Bob joyously, and he hurried away.

Ensign Long felt perfectly sure that if he went direct to the major, and
asked for leave to go ashore shooting, it would be refused. He would
have gone and asked Captain Smithers to intercede for him, but the