smates into a
scrape when Dr Nettleby--he told us this himself in confidence--found
out the state you were in and made inquiries. In so doing, you behaved
like a true sailor and a gentleman, and we're all proud to have such a
promising brother officer amongst us, young Vernon, I assure you. If
you go on as you have begun, you'll be a credit to the service."

Such a flattering eulogium made me blush like a peony, and I was very
glad when the captain presently proposed the toast of "The Queen," which
we drank, all standing.

This being satisfactorily done, taking that hint from the doctor that I
had "better turn in early and have a good night's rest after all the
exertions I had gone through," as a sort of reminder that they had seen
enough of me for the occasion, I paid my adieux to the captain and
company and went on deck, where I remained while the watch was being
called at Eight Bells.

I need hardly add that, in this interval, I ruminated over the strange
succession of events that had taken place within so short a period;
events which, possibly, might make, as they just as probably might have
marred, my entire future career in the service--ay, and, perhaps, have
ended it altogether, but for God's good providence!

CHAPTER TEN.

"DEBTOR AND CREDITOR."

For a couple of days longer, we were as busy as bees, taking in our
boats and spare spars and other gear, besides filling up our stock of
provisions and water and completing with stores of all sorts; until
Saturday arrived, the last day of our stay at Spithead, when all our
preparations were finished and all hands, likewise, paid their advance
of two months' pay, prior to our sailing for China.

No one was allowed on shore that afternoon, for fear of desertion; but,
to make amends for this stoppage of all leave, the men were granted
permission generally to receive their friends on board, so as to get rid
of all the loose cash they were debarred from spending in more
legitimate fashion on land.

The consequence of this licence was, that the ship was crowded from stem
to stern with strangers of every description, shape and sex, from
dinner-time to dusk; Jew and Gentile, kinsman and creditor, each and all
alike in turn, having a final tug at poor Jack's purse-strings, striving
to ease him of his superfluous wealth before departure.

As may readily be imagined, some queer customers came aboard; and some
curious scenes took place, both of the sentimental and