would count; but he said that any master
being, from any circumstances, unable to teach a trade to an apprentice,
as he covenanted to do, could, with the consent of that apprentice, hand
him over to another employer; and that as you will be learning the sea as
efficiently on the coast of Chili as elsewhere, he could loan you, as it
were, to Lord Cochrane. Besides, of course, there is no real necessity for
passing through an apprenticeship in order to become an officer. Large
numbers of men do, in fact, become officers without ever having been
apprenticed, as it is only necessary to serve so many years at sea, and to
pass an examination. Still, there are advantages the other way. All
ship-owners prefer a man who has served an apprenticeship in a good line
of ships, as he would naturally be better mannered and better educated,
and therefore better fitted for the position of an officer in ships
carrying passengers. In that way it would be as well that you should
obtain your discharge at the end of your term of apprenticeship from Mr.
Hewson, although I have some doubts whether your sea-service under a
foreign flag would be allowed to count by the examiners if you went up to
pass as a mate. Upon the other hand, lad, you are now in a good service,
and are certain to get on if you remain in it; and you have less chance of
being shot than if you go with Cochrane."

"I don't know that, father. I can tell you I have had just as close a
shave under Captain Pinder as I could have under Lord Cochrane. Only three
of us out of nine got through; the other six were killed and eaten by the
Malays; and if the Spaniards kill a man, at least they will not eat him.
Oh, I should certainly like to go with Lord Cochrane!"

"I thought you would. As far as one can see there is no chance of our
being engaged in any naval wars for many years to come, for all Europe is
in alliance with us, and is likely to continue so; and even if we have
trouble with any of them, our fleet is so overpoweringly strong that even
a coalition of all the other powers of Europe could not stand against us
at sea. It is a good thing no doubt for the nation; but such a peace as
this is likely to be, gives no chance for naval men to distinguish
themselves. I must say that I consider you are fortunate indeed to have
this opportunity of seeing some service under the man who, of all others,
is distinguished for dash and bravery. He is the Lord Peterborough of the
present day.