act as such, or you'll call me a
liar next!"

"I was only joking," snivelled Dick, picking himself up and rubbing his
cheek ruefully. "I didn't mean anything."

"Neither did I," replied Larkyns, drily, as he peeled off his jacket and
the thick woollen comforter he had wrapped round his neck to keep out
the chilly night air, and prepared to turn in after his watch on deck so
as to have a nice snooze before breakfast. "I only gave you a striking
proof of my devoted friendship for you, old chappie, that's all!"

With which parting words, he dexterously jumped into his hammock,
rolling himself up like a worm in the blankets within; and, such was the
facility of habit, I declare he was snoring like a grampus ere I had
completed my dressing, although I scrambled into my clothes as quickly
as I could, and hurried out of the steerage.

I left Dick Andrews still rubbing his cheek disconsolately and muttering
impotent threats against his now unconscious assailant; but, he didn't
do this until he was certain Larkyns could not hear good wishes on his
behalf!

On going up the hatchway, I found all hands busy scrubbing and washing
down the decks, which were in a precious mess.

There was a fair division of labour in carrying out the operation, the
topmen and after-guard scouring the planks with sand; after which the
decks were flushed fore and aft with floods of water pumped up by the
"idlers."

Those are really a most useful and industrious class of misnamed men
consisting of the carpenters, sailmakers, coopers, blacksmiths and other
artificers, besides the cook's mates and yeomen of stores.

In our ship the lot numbered no less than some seventy in all, who every
morning assisted in this praiseworthy task!

Creeping up as quietly as I could and trying to avoid observation from
the squinting eye of Mr Bitpin, our fourth lieutenant, who was the
oldest in seniority although he occupied such a subordinate position, I
made my way to the side of Ned Anstruther, the midshipman of the watch,
who stood on the weather side of the quarter-deck on a coil of rope so
as to keep his feet out of the way of the water that was swishing round.

Ned nodded me a greeting; and, I fancied myself safe, when in an instant
my presence was noted by the lieutenant, who turned on me.

"Hullo, youngster!" he called out, looking down from the break of the
poop, whence he had been surveying operations, finding fault with the
men beneath in quick su