rief passing across his
countenance, "He will have no difficulty in getting an outfit from the
kits of the four youngsters who were killed on the 1st. By the by, what
is he called?"

"Pearce, sir--Pearce Ripley is his name," answered the boatswain.

"Very well; send my clerk to me, and tell your boy that he is a
midshipman. The first lieutenant will introduce him to his new
messmates, and secure him a favourable reception," said the captain as
the boatswain withdrew.

Pearce Ripley was a fine-looking lad of about fourteen, with an
ingenuous countenance and frank manner, which spoke of an honest, brave
heart. With the ship's company he had been a general favourite; it was
to be proved how far he would recommend himself to the officers.

In the afternoon the young gentlemen, as all the members of the
midshipmen's mess were called, were summoned on the quarterdeck, and
briefly addressed by Mr Monckton, the first lieutenant. Pearce Ripley
was then sent for, and the boatswain's son had no cause to complain of
his reception by those whose messmate he was about to become. They,
with one exception, came forward and cordially shook him by the hand,
and when he entered the berth they all seemed to vie who should pay him
the most unobtrusive attention as forthwith to place him at his ease.
So surely will true bravery and worth be rightly esteemed by the
generous-hearted officers of the British Navy. Pearce had gained the
respect of his messmates; he soon won their regard by his readiness to
oblige, his good temper, his evident determination not to give or take
offence, and his general kind bearing towards all. On duty he showed
that he was resolved to merit the good opinion which had been formed of
him. The only person who differed from the majority was Harry Verner, a
midshipman of about his own age. Though Verner had shaken hands with
him, it had been with reluctance and marked coldness. His manner was
now haughty and supercilious in the extreme, and he took every
opportunity of making sneering remarks about men who had risen from the
lower orders always being out of place and never doing any good. "If
such were to become customary in the service, it would drive all the
gentlemen out of it," he remarked one day in Pearce's hearing. "Not if
those who entered it knew how to behave as gentlemen," Pearce replied,
quietly. Verner said nothing in return, but he gave a look to show his
intense displeasure. Generally P