eman you have there. He looks like a sucking Nelson. I say, my
pretty young officer, could you lend me a shilling?"

I was so pleased at the woman calling me young Nelson, that I
immediately complied with her request. "I have not a shilling in my
pocket," said I, "but here is half-a-crown, and you can change it, and
bring me back the eighteen-pence."

"Well you are a nice young man," replied she, taking the half-crown;
"I'll be back directly, my dear."

The men in the boat laughed, and the coxswain desired them to shove off.

"No," observed I, "you must wait for my eighteen-pence."

"We shall wait a devilish long while, then, I suspect. I know that
girl, and she has a very bad memory."

"She cannot be so dishonest or ungrateful," replied I. "Coxswain, I
order you to stay--I am an officer."

"I know you are, sir, about six hours old; well then, I must go up and
tell the captain that you have another girl in tow, and that you won't
go on board."

"O no, Mr Coxswain, pray don't; shove off as soon as you please, and
never mind the eighteen-pence."

The boat then shoved off, and pulled towards the ship, which lay at
Spithead.

CHAPTER FIVE.

I AM INTRODUCED TO THE QUARTER-DECK, AND FIRST LIEUTENANT, WHO
PRONOUNCES ME VERY CLEVER--TROTTED BELOW TO MRS. TROTTER--CONNUBIAL
BLISS IN A COCK-PIT--MRS. TROTTER TAKES ME IN, AS A MESSMATE.

On our arrival on board, the coxswain gave a note from the captain to
the first lieutenant, who happened to be on deck. He read the note,
looked at me earnestly, and then I overheard him say to another
lieutenant, "The service is going to the devil. Here's another of the
fools of a family made a present of to the country--another cub for me
to lick into shape. Well, I never saw the one yet I did not make
something of. Where's Mr Simple?"

"I am Mr Simple, sir," replied I, very much frightened at what I had
overheard.

"Now, Mr Simple," said the first lieutenant, "observe and pay
particular attention to what I say. The captain tells me in this note
that you have been shamming stupid. Now, sir, I am not to be taken in
that way. I have looked attentively at your face and I see at once that
you are _very clever_, and if you do not prove so in a very short time,
why--you had better jump overboard, that's all. Perfectly understand
me. I know that you are a very clever fellow, and having told you so,
don't you pretend to impose upon me, for it won't do."

I was very