t with in the gun-room, to which Rawson was also invited, while the
other midshipmen were taken care of in the berth.

The gale continued to increase in fury.

"We should have found ourselves in a bad way by this time on board the
French fishing-boat," observed Mr Calder. "Ah, Rawson! we have reason
to be grateful, man, and we should do well if we left off grumbling for
the rest of our lives."

"You would deprive all poor old mates of the only privilege they
possess," answered Rawson; "that would be hard indeed."

The frigate, it was found, was bound out to the North-American station.
This was a great disappointment, as Mr Calder, especially, was anxious
to rejoin the "Thisbe" as soon as possible, not to lose his chance of
promotion.

However, although the gale continued to increase, Captain Markham was
not the man to put back into port as long as he could possibly keep the
sea. He had a good deal of the Flying Dutchman spirit about him,
without the profanity of that far-famed navigator, which has so justly
doomed him to so unenviable a notoriety.

The frigate was rolling and pitching somewhat heavily, as Ronald and his
companions found their way into the midshipmen's berth.

"Take your seats. You are welcome here, mates," said the caterer as
they entered. "We shall have food on the table in a jiffy. There's
cold beef, and salt pork, and soft tack, and here is some honest Jamaica
rum. Not a bad exchange for the Frenchman's wish-wash claret, I
suspect."

The reception, altogether, given to the new comers was cordial, if
unrefined, and not many minutes had elapsed before they were all
perfectly at home. Ronald, less accustomed than the rest to a
midshipman's berth, felt more inclined than usual to be silent. He
found himself seated next to a midshipman, who differed considerably,
both in manners and in many points, from his companions. His appearance
was not at the first glance in his favour. He was red-haired, and tall,
and thin; so tall, indeed, that when he stood up his shoulders touched
the deck above, and his head and neck formed an arch over the table. He
must have been eighteen or nineteen years old at least; indeed, he might
have been older, though he still wore the uniform of a midshipman.
Ronald thought that he was rather dogmatical, though his remarks were
characterised by shrewd, good sense, not destitute of humour. It was
not till he stood up that Ronald, who had been looking round the be