n clearing away the
wreck of the masts, and in preparing to make sail on the ship.

Ronald was in attendance on his father in his cabin. The boatswain had
been more hurt than he supposed; but he did his utmost to conceal his
suffering from his son.

The shout was heard: "All hands on the quarter-deck!"

The captain was about to address the crew.

Rolf Morton tried to rise, but he soon found that he could not. "Go,
Ronald, and hear what the captain has to say. It will be something
pleasant, I doubt not," he said, pressing his boy's hand. "Come and
tell me when you are dismissed."

Ronald sprang up the hatchway. The men were mustering aft. The captain
and all the officers stood on the quarter-deck--not as usual, in those
bright and shining uniforms, but in the dress in which they had fought,
most of them still bearing about their persons the marks of the battle.

"My lads, I have called you aft to thank you for the gallant way in
which you have fought this ship, and captured an enemy with more men,
more guns, and of larger tonnage than ourselves," he began. "I do from
my heart thank you; and our king and countrymen will thank you, and you
may well be proud of what you have done. I wish that I could reward you
as you deserve; but when all have done their duty it is difficult to
pick out any for especial notice. Still there is one man who much
helped us in capturing the enemy. That is the boatswain. He caught,
and kept him, by lashing his bowsprit to our mainmast, and by his advice
we blew open the stern ports which so mainly contributed to our success.
His son, too, saved my life, and afterwards saved the life of Mr
Glover, and was, with him, the first on board the prize. The boatswain
will, I hope, receive his reward hereafter; but as I have the means of
showing my appreciation of his son's gallantry, I gladly do so at once:
I have therefore rated him as a midshipman on board this ship. I am
sure that no one will think that I have done more for him than he
deserves. Come aft, Mr Ronald Morton, and receive the welcome of your
new messmates."

Ronald came forward almost with a bound, though perfectly unconscious
that he was moving more rapidly than usual. The wish of his heart was
accomplished. His countenance beamed with satisfaction, and he frankly
put out his hand towards the midshipmen and the other members of their
berth. They all in turns took it and shook it warmly; but none grasped
it more h