which had been dry holystoned, and the mate of
the lower deck, when the first lieutenant went his round, reported the
circumstance to exculpate himself. Mr Green was consequently summoned
on the quarter-deck; and the first lieutenant, who was very angry,
commenced, as usual, a volley of abuse on the unfortunate youngster.

Green, recollecting my instructions, waited till the first lieutenant
had paused, and then made the first freemason sign, looking up very
boldly at the first lieutenant, who actually drew back with astonishment
at this contemptuous conduct, hitherto unwitnessed on board of a
man-at-war.

"What! sir," cried the first lieutenant. "Why, sir, are you mad?--you,
just come into the service, treating me in this manner! I can tell you,
sir, that you will not be three days longer in the service--no, sir, not
three days; for either you leave the service or I do. Of all the
impudence, of all the insolence, of all the contempt I have heard of,
this beats all--and from such a little animal as you. Consider yourself
as under an arrest, sir, till the captain comes on board, and your
conduct is reported; go down below, sir, immediately."

The lieutenant paused, and now Green gave him sign the second, as a
reply, thinking that they would then come to a right understanding--but
to his astonishment, the first lieutenant was more curious than ever;
and calling the sergeant of marines, ordered him to take Mr Green down,
and put him in irons, under the half-deck.

Poor Green was handed down, all astonishment, at the want of success of
his mason's signs. I, who stood abaft, was delighted at the success of
my joke, while the first lieutenant walked hastily up and down the deck,
as much astonished as enraged at such insulting and insolent conduct
from a lad who had not been a week in the service.

After a time the first lieutenant went down below, when Bob Cross, who
was on deck, and who had perceived my delight at the scene, which was to
him and all others so inexplicable, came up to me and said:--

"Master Keene, I'm sure, by your looks, you knew something about this.
That foolish lad never had dared do so, if he knew what it was he had
done. Now, don't look so demure, but tell me how it is."

I walked aft with Bob Cross, and confided my secret to him; he laughed
heartily, and said:--

"Well, Tommy Dott did say that you were up to any thing, and so I think
you are; but you see this is a very serious affair f