who was right.

"When the boys were all mustered next morning, toeing a line, and
holding out their paws, the first lieutenant turns round and says,
'Jervis, you were fishing last night, against my orders.' 'Yes, sir,'
said Jervis, 'and I catched a first lieutenant;' for Jack had a good
deal of fun in him. 'Yes, sir, and queer fishes they are sometimes,'
replies Old Duty; 'but you forget that you have also catched two dozen.
You have your duty to do, and I've got mine.'

"Well, as you may suppose, there were many of us looking abaft, just to
see what would take place, and were not a little astonished at the idea
of his rewarding Jack with two dozen for saving his life; however, of
course, we were mum. Jack was tied up; and the first lieutenant
whispered a word into the ear of his master-at-arms, who again whispered
to Williams, the boatswain's mate; and the effect of that whisper was,
that the cat was laid on so lightly that Jack hardly felt it; so
lightly, indeed, that the first lieutenant walked away aft, that he
might not appear to be a party in the consarn, and Jack was cast off
without having half a tear in either eye when Old Duty went up to him.

"'You fished last night against orders, and therefore you have received
your punishment. You saved my life last night, and therefore it is my
duty to reward you. I could not let you off this punishment, as it would
be making the King pay you for me, instead of my paying you myself. I'm
not a rich man, but here's ten guineas for your purse, and here's my
gold watch. Spend the first usefully, and keep the other; and observe,
Jack Jervis, if ever you are again caught fishing in harbor, you will as
surely get two dozen for your pains. _You've your duty to_ do, _and I've
got mine_.'"

"Well, messmate, that's a queer story altogether, and queerer fellows in
it. I wouldn't have minded sailing with that Old Duty. Suppose we drink
his health?"

"With all my heart; for you're right, old chap. When we knows what we
are to expect, we're always ready to meet-it; but some officers I've
sailed with shift about like a dog-vane, and there's no knowing how to
meet them. I recollect--But I say, Jack, suppose you turn in--your eyes
are winking and blinking like an owl's in the sunshine. You're tired,
boy, so go to bed. We shan't tell any more yarns to-night."

I was very tired indeed, and could not keep my eyes open any longer; so
I went upstairs, and was asleep almost as soon as I la