uching Dick on the shoulder,
he said, "I want a boy, and I have applied for you. You'll understand
you are to attend on me, so look out and do your duty."

Dick, on inquiring of the other lad, found he was to be the boatswain's
servant, which, although not an office of much honour, had its
advantages, if he could manage to please his master. Dick soon found
that his duties were not very onerous, and provided he was smart and
active, Mr Bitts appeared to be satisfied. Altogether, when the
hammocks were piped down, and he was allowed to turn into the one
allotted to him, which the boatswain ordered one of the men to show him
how to sling, he was tolerably well pleased with the prospect before
him. As he was not placed in any watch, he had the advantage of
sleeping through the whole night.

When the hammocks were piped up the next morning, he turned out
refreshed and ready to do anything required of him. He had lost sight
of Ben, who having found several acquaintances on board, and being
engaged in talking with them, did not trouble himself about him.

The next day, the captain coming on board, the crew were mustered, when
all the men as well as the officers had to come on deck. Dick was
thinking what a fine body of men they appeared, when his eye, glancing
aft, fell on two of the midshipmen, one of whom had his arm in a sling,
and he at once recognised Lord Reginald and Mr Voules. The former
seemed to know him, for he saw the young lord turn to the other
midshipman and say a few words, and then look again towards him. Dick
had not before inquired what ship he was on board, but he now found that
he belonged to the _Wolf_.

"I hope we shall not come across each other, and I'll do my best to keep
out of his way," he said to himself. "He'll not forget, however, how he
came to have his arm in a sling, and maybe he'll try to pay me off; if
he does, I'll show him that I won't stand bullying aboard, any more than
I would on shore."

Captain Moubray, having made a short address to his crew, reminding them
of the renown they had already gained, and expressing his confidence
that they would keep up their credit, ordered the boatswain to pipe
down.

Dick, according to his resolution, kept clear of Lord Reginald.

"It is lucky for you, my lad, that I had applied for you, as the
midshipmen have asked for you to be the boy of their mess," said Mr
Bitts, when Dick was attending on him that evening. "That young lord
and