ed to get into his, and tumbled out three
or four times on the opposite side before he succeeded.

Had it not been for Dick Brice, who slung their hammocks for them, they
would have had to sleep on the bare deck.

The next morning the gruff voice of the boatswain's mate summoned all
hands to turn out, and on going on deck they saw "Blue Peter" flying at
the fore, while shortly afterwards the Jews and all other visitors were
made to go down the side into the boats waiting for them. The captain
came on board, the sails were loosed, and while the fife was setting up
a merry tune, the seamen tramped round at the capstan bars, and the
anchor was hove up.

The wind being from the eastward, in the course of a few minutes the
gallant frigate, under all sail, was gliding down through the smooth
waters of the Solent Sea towards the Needles.

Tom and Bill had something fresh to wonder at every minute. It dawned
upon them by degrees that the forepart of the ship went first, and that
the wheel, at which two hands were always stationed, had something to do
with guiding her, and that the sails played an important part in driving
her on.

Jack had a great advantage over them, as he knew all this, and many
other things besides, and being a good-natured fellow, was always ready
to impart his knowledge to them.

By the time they had been three or four weeks at sea, they had learned a
great deal more, and were able to go aloft.

Bill had caught up to Jack, and had left Tom far behind. The same
talent which had induced him to mend his ragged clothes, made him do,
with rapidity and neatness, everything else he undertook, while he
showed a peculiar knack of being quick at understanding and executing
the orders he received.

Tom felt rather jealous that he should be surpassed by one he had at
first looked down on as little better than a beggar boy.

It never entered into Jack's head to trouble himself about the matter,
and if Bill was his superior, that was no business of his.

There were a good many other people on board, who looked down on all
three of them, considering that they were the youngest boys, and were at
everybody's beck and call.

As soon as the frigate got to sea the crew were exercised at their guns,
and Jack, Tom, and Bill had to perform the duty of powder-monkeys. This
consisted in bringing up the powder from the magazine in small tubs, on
which they had to sit in a row on deck, to prevent the sparks getting