ain came on the deck, and then the guard was
dismissed, and they all walked about the deck as before; but I found it
very pleasant to be astride on the gun, so I remained where I was.
`What do you mane by that, you big young scoundrel?' says he, when he
saw me. `It's nothing at all I mane,' replied I; `but what do you mane
by calling an O'Brien a scoundrel?' `Who is he?' said the captain to
the first lieutenant. `Mr O'Brien, who joined the ship about an hour
since.' `Don't you know better than to sit upon a gun?' said the
captain. `To be sure I do,' replied I, `when there's anything better to
sit upon.' `He knows no better, sir,' observed the first lieutenant.
`Then he must be taught,' replied the captain. `Mr O'Brien, since you
have perched yourself on that gun to please yourself, you will now
continue there for two hours to please me. Do you understand, sir?
you'll ride on that gun for two hours.' `I understand, sir,' replied I;
`but I am afraid that he won't move without spurs, although there's
plenty of _metal_ in him.' The captain turned away and laughed as he
went into his cabin, and all the officers laughed, and I laughed too,
for I perceived no great hardship in sitting down an hour or two, any
more than I do now. Well, I soon found that, like a young bear, all my
troubles were to come.

"I got into a scrape just before we left harbour. It was my watch when
they piped to dinner, and I took the liberty to run below, as my
messmates had a knack of forgetting absent friends. Well, the captain
came on board, and there were no side boys, no side ropes, and no
officers to receive him, he came on deck foaming with rage, for his
dignity was hurt, and he inquired who was the midshipman of the watch.
`Mr O'Brien,' said they all. `Devil a bit,' replied I, `it was my
forenoon watch.' `Who relieved you, sir?' said the first lieutenant.
`Devil a soul, sir,' replied I; `for they were all too busy with their
pork and beef.' `Then why did you leave the deck without relief?'
`Because, sir, my stomach would have had but little relief if I had
remained.' The captain, who stood by, said, `Do you see those
cross-trees, sir?' `Is it those little bits of wood that you mane, on
the top there, captain?' `Yes, sir; now just go up there and stay until
I call you down: You must be brought up to your senses, young man, or
you'll have but little prospect in the service.' `I've an idea that
I'll have plenty of prospect when