o lean up against the door.

"Well, Skeeter," said the latter, "you've had it pretty hot. Serve you
right for being sarcy; you'll behave better next time."

"I hope so," I said meekly.

"Dishy gave you his lecture, then, and walked you off to the skipper,
eh?"

"Yes," I said.

"Well, it's of no use for you to be grumpy. You've had your lesson, and
now you've got to behave yourself."

"Yes."

"And I am very glad to see you are so humble. Aren't you, Tanner?"

"Yes," said Barkins gruffly.

"You see it won't do for a little gnat of a fellow to think he is going
to do what he likes on board one of Her Majesty's ships. It was quite
time you were taken down a few pegs--wasn't it, Tanner?"

"I suppose so," said Barkins.

"Then I don't see that it's any use for us to jump upon him, and show
bad blood."

"No, not a bit," cried Barkins, with more animation. "We won't."

"No, I said we wouldn't; so look here, youngster: we're going to forgive
you, if you promise to behave better and do as you're bid. This isn't
school, you know, where a boy can set himself up against his elders, but
the Queen's service, where every one has his place, and has to keep it
too--mind that. There, that's all I've got to say."

"And very nicely said too," I replied.

He looked at me sharply, but my face was like marble, and he concluded
that I had spoken seriously, for he turned to Barkins--

"There, Tanner, I've done; now it's your turn."

"What for?"

"To give him a few words."

"Oh, I don't think I want to say anything," said Barkins slowly. "I'm
sorry the poor little beggar got into such a row."

"It'll do him good."

"I hope so," said Barkins slowly and reluctantly, and there was rather a
mournful look in his eyes as he spoke.

"You'd better give him a few words of advice," said Smith in an off-hand
tone.

"Oh no, he's had enough jawing. I shan't say anything."

"Thank you, Tanner," I said.

"Oh, all right," he cried, and he held out his hand and shook mine,
brightening up the next moment, and looking as pleased as if he had just
got a great trouble off his mind.

"You needn't be in such a jolly hurry to forgive him," said Smith in a
remonstrant tone; "he has been a cheeky little beggar, and deserved all
he got."

"But it isn't nice to be wigged, all the same," said Barkins sharply.

"No, but it don't matter if you deserved it. Now then, Gnat, tell us
what Dishy said."

"What about?" I asked innocen