ever let any young
blackguard with a dirty mind lead you into doing anything you couldn't
own to openly. There, that's all, my boy. Drop the father, and never
go to him with tales; he has to treat you middies all alike. There!
Oh, one word; don't bounce and show off among your messmates, because
your father's the captain, and you've got an old hulk at home who is an
admiral; but whenever you want a few guineas to enjoy yourself, Uncle
Tom's your banker, you dog. There! Be off!"

Syd tried hard, but his eyes would get a little dim as the bluff old
gentleman touched his hat to the officers, and went over the side, while
the captain put his hands behind him and walked thoughtfully aft, to
have a long consultation with the first lieutenant, after which he too
went ashore without seeing his son again, and Sydney prepared for his
first night on board.

There was so much that was novel that the new middy had no time to feel
dull, and he spent his time on deck, watching the return of the boat,
saw it swung up to its davits again, and then, after noting the marines
relieve guard, and the sentries at their posts, he was going forward,
when he encountered the officer who had before spoken to him.

"Got your traps on board yet, Mr Belton?"

"Not yet, sir. My chest is coming to-night."

"That's right. You'll be in a different fig then to-morrow, and I'll
have a talk to you. Better pick up what you can from your messmates,
but don't quarrel, and don't believe everything they tell you."

He nodded not unkindly to the boy, and went off, while Barney, who had
been watching his opportunity, came up and touched his hat.

"Your chest's come aboard, sir, and I've had it put below. Better keep
it locked, my lad, for you'll find my young gents pretty handy with
their games."

"Thank you, Barney."

"Say Strake, sir, please now, or bo'sun."

"Very well, Strake. Where is Pan?"

"Right, sir. Forrard along with the other boys. Getting his roasting
over. What yer think o' the first luff?"

"I haven't seen him yet, Bar--Strake."

"Oh, come now, sir; speak the truth whatever you do, and don't try those
games on me. Why, I sin yer talking to him."

"That?" said Sydney, smiling, as one who knows better smiles at the
ignorant. "Why, Strake, that was the purser."

"Poof!" ejaculated the boatswain, with a smothered laugh. "Who told you
that, sir?"

"That midshipman who brought us off in the boat."

"A flam, sir, a fla