were, however, mingled with a
great deal of laughter.

"Merciful Heaven! and so you have been blown up in that vessel," said
the first lieutenant, coming to me, with great kindness. "Are you much
burnt? Why, he's quite black--where's the surgeon?"

"Aren't hurt at all, sir," replied I.

"Let him be taken down and examined," said the captain with some
emotion; "if not hurt, let him come into the cabin to me."

The captain went down the ladder, and then I shook hands with Tommy Dott
and all the other officers and midshipmen; and I will say that my
re-appearance appeared to give unusual satisfaction. I went down into
the gun-room and was stripped. They were much surprised to find that I
was not hurt, and even more when they discovered that I was black all
over, and that washing would not restore my colour.

"Why, Keene," said the first lieutenant, "how is it that you have
changed your colour?"

"Oh, sir, I've been playing the nigger for these last three months. It
is a long story, but I will go with you to the captain, and I will tell
it there."

As soon as I had put on my uniform, I went up with Mr Hippesley to the
cabin, and having, at the captain's request, taken a chair, I entered
into a full explanation, which lasted more than an hour.

As soon as I had finished, Mr Hippesley who had plenty to do on deck,
but who could not leave until he had heard my story, quitted the cabin,
and I found myself alone with the captain.

"I must say that I gave you up for lost," said Captain Delmar; "the
boat's crew were picked up the next morning, and reported that you were
drowned in the cabin of the vessel. Scoundrels, to desert you in that
way."

"I do not think they were to blame, sir; the water being so high in the
cabin, and my not answering to their call."

"But did they call you?"

"Yes, sir; I heard them call when I was half asleep, and I did not
answer."

"Well, I am glad to hear you say so; but so convinced have we been of
your loss, that I have written to your mother on the subject. Strange,
this is the second time that she has been distressed in this way. You
appear to have a charmed life, Mr Keene."

"I hope I shall long live to do credit to your protection, sir," replied
I.

"I hope so too, Mr Keene," replied the captain, very kindly; "I
sincerely hope so too. In all this business you have conducted yourself
very manfully. It does you great credit, and your mother ought to be
proud of you.