of England proclaimed her to be a prize. She was quickly boarded by
boats from the shore, every one in them eager to be on board, for a
prize crew are supposed to have their pockets well lined with coin, and
to be ready to spend it. She was soon known to be "La Forte," captured
by the "Thisbe" in the East Indies. She at once went into dock, her
crew was paid off, and Rawson got confirmed in his rank of commander;
but Ronald Morton received no further acknowledgment of his services.
He had been paid some prize-money, and he might have remained on shore
to enjoy some relaxation after the number of years he had been employed;
but he had few even of the acquaintance young naval men usually make,
and idleness was the very last thing in which he wished just then to
indulge. Action, excitement, was what he wanted. He longed once more
for the battle and the tempest. In this mood, when the ship was paid
off, he went on shore. A tall thin young man, in a post-captain's
uniform, met him before he had walked a hundred paces, and after looking
at him hard, held out his hand, exclaiming--"Morton, old shipmate, I'm
glad to meet you."

"So am I, you, Lord Claymore," returned Ronald, happy to encounter one
he had known and liked so much.

"Well, you see, Morton, that I have got the two swabs on my shoulders,"
said the young lord, laughing. "I've worked hard for them, let me tell
you; my lords of the Admiralty don't give promotion for nothing to those
who don't happen to be born with silver spoons in their mouths; and I
was not, I know. Mine was of wood or iron. I hope that you will get
your's soon--you deserve it. I met Rawson just now, and he was speaking
of you. But, in the meantime, what do you say to taking a berth as my
first lieutenant? I've interest enough to obtain that for you. Come
along with me for a few yards. You can see the ship I have just
commissioned. She is not long off the stocks. I cannot say much for
her at present. She is small and cramped, but she carries thirty-eight
guns, and I'll make her do something one of these days."

Ronald at once accepted Lord Claymore's offer. They shortly after fell
in with Glover. Lord Claymore told him that he should apply for him as
his junior lieutenant.

In a week the two old shipmates found themselves appointed to the
"Pallas" frigate, nominally of thirty-two guns, though in reality
mounting thirty-eight. Of course Job Truefitt and Bob Doull followed
the