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et the praise, Frank," said Roberts gloomily. "It has always been so ever since we joined. One is expected to devote himself in every way possible to learning one's profession, and for reward one gets bullied and blamed for pretty well everything. Nobody ever told me that I had performed a very gallant act." "Well, look here, what do you say to me tumbling overboard so that you can come over after me and save my life?" "Bother! Look here, Frank, if you can't talk sense you'd better hold your tongue." "If I did you'd only get more rusty. I say, Dick, I once read about a fellow being saved from drowning." "Me, of course," interrupted Roberts, in an angry tone. "What are you up to now--fishing for praise of your `gallant act'?" "Not likely," was the reply, good-humouredly. "I was going to tell you about some one who was saved from drowning." "Well, you needn't. I know all about it now, thank you, and I don't want to hear." "Never mind, old chap; I want to tell you, and it's very interesting and quite true." Roberts grunted and gave himself a hitch so as to turn half away from his companion and stand staring away to sea. "It said that when the poor fellow was on the deck again--you see, he had fallen from the yard and they had to lower down a boat so as to get him aboard, and when they did he seemed to be quite dead--same as you did." "Tchah! Nothing of the kind. I was only a bit insensible." "Well, you were quite bad enough," said Murray, "and the doctor had to bring you round same as this chap; and when he was able to sit up and talk it was quite curious--" "I don't see anything curious about a half-drowned chap coming to and being able to talk." "No," said Murray, smiling, as he watched his companion intently, "but that wasn't the curious part." "Well, then, what was? Oh, I say, I do wish you wouldn't keep on prosing about what nobody wants to hear. There, go on and get it finished." "All right; don't hurry a fellow," said Murray. "I can't dash off things as quickly as you can." Roberts wrenched himself round so that he could look fiercely at his companion, and he spoke with quite an angry snap. "Is that meant for a sneer?" he said. "No, my son; not a bit of it, unless it contains just a go at myself for being so slow." "Ho!" ejaculated Roberts. "Well, what's the curious thing about your chap who had been nearly drowned?" "They brought him to--" said Murray d
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