ut the shark, and were
looking over the side, calling to each other, and giving directions to
the men. Now, although certainly there was a want of decorum on the
quarter-deck, still the captain having given permission, it was to be
excused, but Mr Phillott thought otherwise, and commenced in his usual
style, beginning with the marine officer.

"Mr Westley, I'll trouble you not to be getting upon the hammocks.
You'll get off directly, sir. If one of your fellows were to do so, I'd
stop his grog for a month, and I don't see why you are to set a bad
example; you've been too long in barracks, sir, by half. Who is that?--
Mr Williams and Mr Moore--both on the hammocks, too. Up to the
fore-topmast head, both of you directly. Mr Thomas, up to the main;
and I say, you youngster, stealing off, perch yourself upon the
spanker-boom, and let me know when you've rode to London. By God! the
service is going to hell. I don't know what officers are made of
now-a-days. I'll marry some of you young gentlemen to the gunner's
daughter before long. Quarter-deck's no better than a bear garden. No
wonder, when lieutenants set the example."

This latter remark could only be applied to O'Brien, who stood in the
quarter-boat giving directions, before the tirade of Mr Phillott
stopped the amusement of the party. O'Brien immediately stepped out of
the boat, and, going up to Mr Phillott, touched his hat, and said, "Mr
Phillott, we had the captain's permission to catch the shark and a shark
is not to be got on board by walking up and down on the quarter-deck.
As regards myself, as long as the captain is on board, I hold myself
responsible to him alone for my conduct; and if you think I have done
wrong, forward your complaint; but if you pretend to use such language
to me, as you have to others, I shall hold you responsible. I am here,
sir, as an officer and a gentleman, and will be treated as such; and
allow me to observe, that I consider the quarter-deck more disgraced by
foul and ungentlemanly language, than I do by an officer accidentally
standing upon the hammocks. However, as you have thought proper to
interfere, you may now get the shark on board yourself."

Mr Phillott turned very red, for he never had come in contact in this
way with O'Brien. All the other officers had submitted quietly to his
unpleasant manner of speaking to them. "Very well, Mr O'Brien; I shall
hold you answerable for this language," replied he, "and shall