cook.
He'll know best how to dress his own provisions, and I should like to
keep a good table while I am on board."

"I'll do your bidding," answered Mr Jager, and shaking hands with Lord
Reginald and his two subordinates, he returned in the boat to the
frigate.

The _Marie_ proved herself to be a capital sailer, a quality her crew
had counted on when they ventured to attack the _Dunmore Castle_,
expecting to be able to pillage her and get away before daylight.

Lord Reginald walked the deck with a self-satisfied air, which was well
imitated by Voules and Lucas. The young lord invited them into the
cabin to mess with him, an honour they gladly accepted. "We shall have
a jolly time of it," he said, "and I hope old Moubray will send us on an
independent cruise when we get to Java."

"He'll have to send us more men, then, for we are too short-handed to
meet an enemy," said Voules; "otherwise, I'd rather not go at all."

"No fear on that score," observed Lord Reginald. "We shall get as many
as we want out of the merchant vessels. They must spare us their men,
whether they like it or not. By-the-by, that young Hargrave is on
board; I would have dispensed with his services. The very sight of him
is annoying. He eyes me with the same daring, impudent look he always
did, and I shouldn't be surprised if he and the other smuggler were to
try and get up a mutiny on board, if they have the opportunity."

"I'll see that he plays no trick of that sort," answered Voules. "I'll
take the spirit out of him, depend upon it, and make him wish that he
had remained on board the frigate."

"I don't want him treated unjustly, or punished unless he gives occasion
by his conduct," remarked Lord Reginald.

"Oh, no, no," answered Voules, with a significant smile; "of course not.
The truth is, I have a grudge against him myself. The other night I
heard him, when he didn't know I was near, speaking of me as `Toady
Voules.'"

"Did he, indeed?" said Lord Reginald, leaning back and laughing. "Why,
that's the name you've got in the mess. Ah, ah, ah! However, for one
of the men to make use of it is next door to mutiny. They must not be
allowed to speak so disrespectfully of their officers."

Voules, who was considerably irritated by his superior's remark, did not
fail to exercise his ill feelings on Dick, and not a day passed that he
did not find some excuse for ill treating him and making him perform the
most unpleasant duties.