he value of the whisky he had bestowed
on us, as well as two or three additional songs. He had by this time
discovered who we were, and was profuse in his apologies for the way in
which he had behaved. We assured him that he had but done his duty, and
as we had chosen to pass for stage-players we could not complain of him
for believing us. For a few days things went on much as usual. At last
my uncle received a letter from Captain Macnamara, saying that he had
not been appointed to a ship himself, but had applied to Lord Robert
Altamont, who had just commissioned the _Jason_ at Plymouth, and who had
agreed to receive me on board on his recommendation. "Your nephew will
meet some of his old shipmates, who, I have no doubt, will be glad to
have him among them," he added.

At first I was highly delighted at this news, but when the time came for
parting I wished that I had been able to remain longer at home. It
appeared to me very unlikely that I should ever see my father again, and
the state of our pecuniary affairs was evidently telling on my mother,
though my brave uncle was doing his utmost to keep things together. It
was settled, of course, that Larry was to accompany me.

"I should like to go with you," said my uncle; "but you're old enough to
take care of yourself, and affairs at home require my presence. Two men
will, however, attend you, to look after the horses and bring them
back."

I will not describe our leave-takings a second time, or my journey to
Cork. I found there was a vessel just about to sail for Plymouth, and I
therefore secured berths on board her for myself and Larry. Nothing
particular occurred during the passage. We dropped anchor in the
Catwater at Plymouth five days after leaving Cork. I at once repaired
on board the _Jason_, lying in Hamoaze.

Who should I find walking the deck as first lieutenant but old
Rough-and-Ready. He put out his hand and shook mine cordially.

"Glad to have you aboard, my lad," he said. "You see, their Lordships,
knowing my value as a first lieutenant, have taken good care not to
promote me, lest my peculiar qualities should be lost to the service."

"I should have been glad to have served under you, had you been in
command of a corvette, sir," I said; "and I'm very happy to be with you
again."

"You'll find two or three old shipmates on board, for Lord Robert, being
a friend of Captain Macnamara, applied to him to recommend such officers
as he thou