oom.

"I hope that was in earnest, Tom," said Bramble, fixing his eye upon me
inquiringly, "otherwise it was cruel."

"It was indeed, father," replied I, taking him by the hand.

"Then all's right, and God bless you, my dear good boy. You don't know
how happy you have made me--yes, and now I will say it--poor Bessy
also."

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

In which a new Character appears upon the Stage, and I play the part of
a Pilot on Shore.

"A frigate has anchored in the Downs, Tom, and makes the signal for a
pilot," said Bramble, coming into the cottage, with my telescope in his
hand. "There is but you and I here--what do you say?--will you venture
to take her up to the Medway?"

"To be sure I will, father; I would not refuse a line-of-battle ship.
Why should I? the tides are the same, and the sands have not shifted.
Would you not trust me?"

"Ay, that I would, Tom, and perhaps better that myself; for my eyes are
not so good as they were. Well, then, you had better be off."

I got my bundle ready, and was about to start, when I perceived my
telescope lying down where Bramble had placed it on the table. "They are
not very fond of letting pilots have their glasses on board of a King's
ship," said I, "so I will take mine this time."

"You're right, Tom; you can't take the spy-glass out of the captain's
hand, as you do in a merchant vessel."

"Well good-by, father; I shall come down again as soon as I can--there's
another gun, the captain of the frigate is in a hurry."

"They always are on board of a man-of-war, if no attention is paid to
their orders or their signals. Come, start away." I went down to the
beach, the men launched the galley, and I was soon on board. As I gained
the quarter-deck I was met by the captain and first lieutenant, who were
standing there.

"Well," said the captain, "where's the pilot?"

"I am, sir," replied I, taking off my hat.

"Where's your warrant?"

"There, sir," replied I, offering him the tin case in which I carried
it.

"Well, all is right, my good fellow; but you seem but a young hand."

"Not so young as to lose so fine a vessel as this, I trust, sir,"
replied I.

"I hope not, too; and I dare say you are as good as many with gray
hairs. At all events, your warrant is sufficient for me, and the frigate
is now under your charge. Will you weigh directly?"

"If you please; the wind will probably fail as the sun goes down, and,
if so, we may just as well lie off the