hat would be the
worst thing that could happen to me: if he did not marry, his other
brother had a large family, and the title would go to the eldest son;
but that was nothing to me.

While I was summoning up all these contingencies in my mind, there was a
knock at the cabin door. "Come in," said I. "Oh! is it you, Cross?
I'm glad to see you. Sit down there. You see I command a vessel at
last, Bob."

"Yes, sir; and you'll command a larger one before long, I hope; but as
to your being in command of a vessel--there's nothing very surprising in
that; what is surprising is, to find myself a warrant officer--the idea
never came into my head. I must write, and tell my little girl of my
good fortune; it will make her and her mother very happy."

"I must do the same, Cross. My mother will be very much pleased to hear
all I have to tell her."

"I haven't heard it myself yet, Mr Keene, and that's why I came in,"
replied Bob. "I know you don't want advice now; but I can't help having
a wish to know what took place between you and his lordship."

"No one has a better right to know than you, Cross, who have been such a
sincere friend to me; so now I'll tell you."

I then entered into a detail of all that had passed between Lord de
Versely and me, and also what the admiral had said to me.

"All's right, Mr Keene," replied Bob; "and let the admiral only give us
something to do and I think you'll believe me when I say that the
boatswain of the Firefly will back you as long as he has a pin to stand
upon."

"That I'm sure of, Bob; you will ever be my right-hand man. There are
two midshipmen on board, I perceive: what sort of lads may they be?"

"I haven't had time to find out; but you have a capital ship's company--
that the gunner and carpenter both say."

"And a very fine vessel, Bob."

"Yes, sir, and a regular flyer, they say, if she is well managed. You
have never been in a schooner, Mr Keene, but I have, and for nearly
three years, and I know how to handle one as well as most people."

"So much the better, Cross, for I know nothing about it. Come, I will
ring the bell; I suppose some one will answer it." A lad made his
appearance.

"Were you Mr Williams's servant?"

"Yes, sir."

"Get me out a bottle of wine and some glasses--there, that will do."

"Now, Bob, let's drink success to the Firefly."

"Here's success to the Firefly, Mr Keene, and success to the captain.
May you do well in her, and be soon