; I'll swear to it."

"You may swear if you please," replied I; "that will do you no good, and
me no harm."

The crimp talked with the other men, and then indignation was levelled
against me. Most of them swore they would be even with me, and have my
life if they could; indeed, they could hardly be prevented laying hands
upon me; but Bob Cross told the sentry, and he interfered with his
bayonet; notwithstanding which, fists continued to be shook in my face,
and vengeance threatened every minute.

"I told you, my lads," said Bob Cross, "that I have been on board of a
man-of-war before this, and you'd better mind what you're about, or
you'll repent it; at all events, if one of you touches him, you'll have
five dozen lashes at the gangway before to-morrow morning."

This made the poor fellows more quiet; most of them lay down, and tried
to sleep off their misery.

"Why don't you make yourself known, Mr Keene?" said Cross to me, in a
whisper: "I saw the master go on the quarterdeck just now."

"I think I had better not: there are more houses to examine, and if my
trick was known, it would soon get wind from the women, and I should be
waylaid, and perhaps murdered by the crimps. The captain will be on
board by ten o'clock, I have no doubt, and then I will contrive to see
him, somehow or another."

"But you could trust the master--why not see him?"

"I'll think of it--but there's no hurry."

I was afraid that Tommy Dott would have discovered me, and I kept out of
his way as much as I could.

"I'll tell you what, sir--as I've not joined the ship, why not let it be
supposed that I am impressed with the other men, and then I can send for
Mr Dott and make myself known? The commanding officer will, of course,
send for me, and I will enter, and then I shall be allowed to go about,
and can speak to the captain when he comes on board."

"Well, that is not a bad idea. Talk to the sentry."

"Who's the captain of this ship, sentry?" said Bob Cross.

"Captain Delmar."

"Delmar!--why, he's my old captain. Did not I see a Mr Dott, a
midshipman?"

"Yes there is a Mr Dott on board."

"Well, I wish you would just pass the word to Mr Dott, to say that one
of the pressed men wishes to speak to him."

The sentry did so, and Mr Dott came down.

"How d'ye do, Mr Dott?" said Bob Cross, while I turned away.

"What Cross, is that you? Are you dressed?"

"Yes, sir, can't be helped. I'm glad I'm to sail with you, sir. W