s set us off both laughing again; and, in the midst of our glee, up
came a tall man in a long frock-coat with a black sword-belt, but no
epaulets or other distinguishing ornaments, whom I afterwards learnt was
the master-at-arms. He asked me my name; and, informing me that I was
to report myself to the commanding officer, he led the way up the main
hatch to the quarter-deck above.

This interview having been satisfactorily got through, I was then
escorted to the quarters of the naval instructor, who received me most
graciously, telling me the hours of study and drill, and coaching me
generally in the routine of my duties.

He catechised me all the while, I noticed, in a sly way in respect of my
knowledge of mathematics, putting a series of innocent questions that I
saw were meant to test my acquirements.

He did this, however, in such an insidious manner as to disarm me at the
outset, preventing my feeling that I was being examined and "turned
inside out," so to speak.

He was a nice fat old fellow like Mr Tangent.

Indeed, the majority of naval chaplains I have come across in my time in
the service have as a rule been fat, the sea air apparently exercising
as beneficial an effect on the clerical constitution as a snug living
ashore.

This gentleman now, after telling me he thought I should do very well,
excused me from any lessons that day, it being the first I was on board.
He then dismissed me to join my messmates, whom, he said, I would
probably find below in the gunroom, as it was "close on the luncheon
hour!"

This reflection seemed to give him some inward satisfaction; for, he
patted his waistcoat with a sort of pleasurable anticipation as I left
him, asking the wardroom steward, who just then entered the cabin,
whether there wasn't a veal and ham pie, I recollect.

When I got down to the lower deck I had no need to inquire as to the
whereabouts of the gunroom. Such a din and babel of voices proceeded
from the after part of the ship that I was certain, from what Dad had
let out to me of his former experiences at sea, the noise could only
have been made by a batch of middies and naval cadets in their moments
of relaxation from the stern discipline of the quarter-deck, when they
were allowed to give their superabundance of animal spirits full play.

I was positive I must be in the near vicinity of the gunroom, the "happy
hunting ground" of my messmates. Luncheon was evidently either over or
not yet be