t she did not like it, but I felt so unwell
that I was obliged to go on the main-deck.

I went to bed very tired; Mr Trotter had my hammock hung up in the
cock-pit, separated by a canvas screen from the cot in which he slept
with his wife. I thought this very odd, but they told me it was the
general custom on board ship, although Mrs Trotter's delicacy was very
much shocked by it. I was very sick, but Mrs Trotter was very kind.
When I was in bed she kissed me, and wished me good night, and very soon
afterwards I fell fast asleep.

CHAPTER SIX.

PUZZLED WITH VERY COMMON WORDS--MRS. TROTTER TAKES CARE OF MY WARDROBE--
A MATRIMONIAL DUET, ENDING "CON STREPITO."

I awoke the next morning at daylight with a noise over my head which
sounded like thunder; I found it proceeded from holy-stoning and washing
down the main-deck. I was very much refreshed nevertheless, and did not
feel the least sick or giddy. Mr Trotter, who had been up at four
o'clock, came down and directed one of the marines to fetch me some
water. I washed myself on my chest, and then went on the main-deck,
which they were swabbing dry. Standing by the sentry at the cabin door,
I met one of the midshipmen with whom I had been in company at the Blue
Posts.

"So, Master Simple, old Trotter and his faggot of a wife have got hold
of you--have they?" said he. I replied, that I did not know the meaning
of faggot, but that I considered Mrs Trotter a very charming woman. At
which he burst into a loud laugh. "Well," said he, "I'll just give you
a caution. Take care, or they'll make a clean sweep. Has Mrs Trotter
shown you her ankle yet?"

"Yes," I replied, "and a very pretty one it is."

"Ah, she's at her old tricks. You had much better have joined our mess
at once. You're not the first greenhorn that they have plucked. Well,"
said he, as he walked away, "keep the key of your own chest--that's
all."

When he left me I went on the quarter-deck. All the sailors were busy
at work, and the first lieutenant cried out to the gunner, "Now, Mr
Dispart, if you're ready, we'll breech these guns."

"Now, my lads," said the first lieutenant, "we must slue (the part the
breeches cover) more forward." As I never heard of a gun having
breeches, I was very anxious to see what was going on, and went up close
to the first lieutenant, who said to me. "Youngster, hand me that
_monkey's tail_." I saw nothing like a _monkey's tail_; but I was so
frightened