it to you. You don't belong to the ship
until you are victualled on her books. Now I sha'n't _victual_ you
to-day, and therefore you won't be _pressed_."

"I shall be pressed with hunger at all events," replied Tom, who never
could lose a joke.

"No you sha'n't; for I'll send you both a good dinner out of the
gun-room. So you won't be pressed at all," replied the lieutenant,
laughing at Tom's reply.

"You will allow me to go, sir, at all events," replied I; for I knew
that the only chance of getting Tom and myself clear was my hastening to
Mr Drummond for assistance.

"Pooh! nonsense; you must both row in the same boat as you have done.
The fact is, my lads, I've taken a great fancy to you both, and I can't
make up my mind to part with you."

"It's hard to lose our bread this way," replied I.

"We will find you bread, and hard enough you will find it," replied the
lieutenant, laughing; "it's like a flint."

"So we ask for bread, and you give us a stone," said Tom; "that's
'gainst Scripture."

"Very true, my lad; but the fact is, all the scriptures in the world
won't man the frigate. Men we must have, and get them how we can, and
where we can, and when we can. Necessity has no law; at least it
obliges us to break through all laws. After all, there's no great
hardship in serving the king for a year or two, and filling your pockets
with prize-money. Suppose you volunteer?"

"Will you allow us to go on shore for half-an-hour to think about it?"
replied I.

"No. I'm afraid of the crimps dissuading you. But I'll give you till
to-morrow morning, and then I shall be sure of one at all events."

"Thanky for me," replied Tom.

"You're very welcome," replied the first lieutenant, as, laughing at us,
he went down the companion-ladder to his dinner.

"Well, Jacob, we are in for it," said Tom, as soon as we were alone.
"Depend upon it there's no mistake this time."

"I am afraid not," replied I, "unless we can get a letter to your
father, or Mr Drummond, who, I am sure, would help us. But that dirty
fellow, who gave the lieutenant the hint, said the frigate sailed
to-morrow morning; there he is, let us speak to him."

"When does the frigate sail!" said Tom to the master's mate, who was
walking the deck.

"My good fellow, it's not the custom on board of a man-of-war for men to
ask officers to answer such impertinent questions. It's quite
sufficient for you to know that when the frigate sails you will ha