oat.
I scrambled on my feet, and would have gone _aft_, when the midshipman
of the boat said to the men, "Pass that cursed young pirate forward--
don't let him come aft here."

"Oh, oh, Mr Lascelles," thinks I--"so you don't know me; you shall know
me by-and-by." I quite forgot that I was stained black, till one of the
men who seized me by the collar to pass me forward, said, "Hand along
the nigger. He's a young one for the gallows, any how."

They handed me forward, and I did not choose to say who I was. My love
of fun returned the moment that I was again with my shipmates. After
looking well round and ascertaining that I was the only one left alive,
they pulled back to the frigate; and the midshipman went up to report.
I was handed up the side and remained at the break of the gangway, while
the captain and first lieutenant were talking with Mr Lascelles: during
which Mr Tommy Dott came up to me, and, putting his finger to his left
ear, gave a cluck with his tongue, as much as to say, "You'll be hanged,
my good fellow."

I could not help giving the first mason's sign which I taught to Mr
Green in return for Tommy's communication; to wit, putting my thumb to
my nose, and extending my finger out towards him; at which Tommy Dott
expressed much indignation, and called me a precious impudent varmin.
The men who were near us laughed, and said that I was game at all
events. No one knew me; for not only was my face well stained, but I
was covered from head to foot with a solution of salt water and
gunpowder, which made me still more indistinguishable.

I had remained at the gangway about two minutes, when the first
lieutenant said, "Bring the prisoner here."

I immediately went aft; and as soon as I was standing before Captain
Delmar and the first lieutenant--(and behind were all the officers,
anxious to hear what I had to disclose)--I put my hand to my head,
having no hat, as may be supposed, and said, "_Come on board, sir_,"
reporting myself, as is usually the custom of officers when they return
from leave or duty.

"Good Heavens! that voice!--why, who are you?" cried Captain Delmar,
starting back a pace.

"Mr Keene, sir," replied I, again putting my hand to my head.

Bob Cross, who was, with many of the seamen, close to me, quite
forgetting etiquette, ran up and caught me round the waist, looking me
full in the face: "It is him, sir--it is him! Huzzah! huzzah!" and all
the seamen joined in the huzzahs, which