mander had some time before sent for Jack Peek, and
urged him to prepare himself for obtaining a boatswain's warrant.

"Thank you, sir," said Jack; "but, you see, to get it I must read and
write, and that's what I never could tackle. I have tried pothooks and
hangers, but my fingers get all cramped up, and the pen splits open, and
I have to let it drop, and make a great big splash of ink on the paper;
and as for reading, I've tried that too. I know all the letters when I
see them, but I can't manage to put them together in the right fashion,
and never could get beyond a, b, ab, b, o, bo. I might in time, if I
was to stick to it, I know, and I'll try when we are at sea if I can get
a messmate to teach me. But while you're afloat I'd rather be your
coxswain, if you'll give me that rating; then I can always be with you,
and, mayhap, render you some service, which is just the thing I should
be proud of doing. Now, sir, there's Tom Fletcher; he's got plenty of
learning, and he ought to be a good seaman by this time. If you were to
recommend him to be either a gunner or a boatswain, he'd pass fast
enough."

Rayner shook his head. "I should be happy to serve Tom Fletcher for old
acquaintance' sake, but I fear that although he may have the learning,
as you say, he has not got the moral qualities necessary to make a good
warrant officer. However, send him to me, and I'll have a talk with him
on the subject."

Jack promised to look after Tom, whom he had not seen since the _Lily_
was paid off. He returned in a few days, saying that he had long
searched for him in vain, until at length he had found him in a low
house in the lowest of the Plymouth slums, his prize-money, to the
amount of nearly a hundred pounds, all gone, and he himself so drunk
that he could not understand the message Jack brought him.

"I am truly sorry to hear it," said Rayner. "But you must watch him and
try to get him on board. If he is cast adrift he must inevitably be
lost, but we will try what we can do to reform him."

"I will gladly do my best, sir," answered Jack. When the _Urania_ was
nearly ready for sea, Jack did contrive to get Tom aboard of her, but
the commander's good intentions were frustrated, for before the ship
sailed he deserted with could not again be discovered.

Of this Rayner was thankful, as he must of necessity have done what
would have gone greatly against his feelings--ordered Tom a flogging.

Honest Brown, however,