"I had my duty to do, young man, and a sailor is not allowed to ask
questions as to what's right or wrong."

"But I was treated like a criminal," said Don.

"You were treated far better than pressed men are as a rule especially
those who try to break away. But I can't argue that with you. You and
your companion are king's men now, or king's boys, and have to do your
duty. Let's come back to to-day's work. The captain's offended, and I
want to save you from trouble if I can."

"It's very kind of you, sir," said Don.

"Now tell me this. Do you know what you were going to do when the
captain knocked you backwards?"

Don was silent.

"Well, I'll tell you," said the boatswain. "You were going to strike
him again. That's the truth, is it not?"

Don remained silent.

"It is the truth. Well, have you any idea of what a bit of madness that
would have been here?"

Don shook his head.

"Why, my good lad, you could not commit a greater crime. It means
death."

"Does it, sir?"

"Does it, sir! Why, goodness me, my lad, you must be half mad."

"People are sometimes, sir, when they are hit."

"Yes, that's true enough; but you must master your temper. Save all
that sort of thing up till you fight the French, and then you will be
allowed to grow quite mad if you like. Now once more, about that
boathook. You did not lose it?"

"Yes, sir; we did lose it."

"Ah, I thought so."

"Because the great fish carried it off."

"Humph! Well, go and get yourself dry. If you are lucky, you will hear
no more about this, only have the cost of the boathook deducted out of
your pay, and perhaps the captain will have forgotten all about your
conduct by to-morrow."

"What did he say to you?" said Jem, as Don went below.

Don told him.

"Pay for the boathook?" said Jem. "Well, I'll do that, my lad. But
what did he say--the skipper would forget it by to-morrow?"

"Yes, Jem."

"I hope he will."

"But I can't forget that he hit me," said Don sternly.

"Now, now, Mas' Don, you mustn't speak like that."

"And you must not speak like that, Jem,--_Master Don_. You'll have some
of the men hear you."

"Well, I'll mind; but you mustn't think any more about that, my lad.
He's captain, and can do as he likes. You were going to hit him,
weren't you?"

"Yes, Jem, I'm afraid I was. I always feel like that if I'm hurt."

"But you mustn't now you're a sailor. Say, my lad, things looks rather
ugly, somehow. Th