e
independent testimony, that you're no novice on board ship and have
already mastered the rough rudiments of your profession in the best way
possible--that of having been before the mast as a regular hand--why,
you'll be able to get on all the faster, and be able to command the deck
by-and-by on your own hook. How are you up in navigation, eh?"

"I can take the sun, sir," said I, modestly, not wishing to blow my own
trumpet.

"Anything else?"

"Yes, sir, I can work out a reckoning, I believe," I answered.

"Ha, humph, pretty good! I'll try you by-and-by, Leigh," said Captain
Billings, turning aside for the moment to order the port watch to give
one extra pull to the weather braces--"mind and bring out your sextant
when you see me on deck at eight bells. I suppose you've got one in
your chest, eh?"

"Oh yes, sir, Sam Pengelly gave me one," I replied, and the skipper then
went into the cabin while Jorrocks and I resumed our interrupted
conversation.

My old friend took advantage of the opportunity to put me up to a good
many wrinkles concerning my fellow-shipmates.

The mate, Mr Macdougall, who was a tall, hatchet-faced Scotsman, with
high cheek-bones and a very prominent nose--Jorrocks told me, in
confidence--was a tight-handed, close-fisted, cross-tempered man, ever
fond of displaying his authority and working the hands to death, under
the plea of preventing their idling or "hazing," as he called it.

"I advise you not to get into a row with him, Mister Leigh, if so as you
can help it; 'cause, once a chap falls foul of him in any way, he
neversomedevers by no chance forgets or forgives it, nohow."

"I shan't give him the chance," I answered to this, with a laugh. "I
suppose he doesn't think himself greater than the captain!"

"Ah, you just wait a bit 'fore you decide that p'int. The first mate
aboard a marchint ship is a sight more powerful than a judge on the
bench, as you'll find out! The skipper allers tells him what he wishes,
and the mate sees to its being done, an' it depends what sorter fellow
_he_ is, and not on the cap'en, as to how matters go on when a vessel's
at sea; for, it's in his power for to make things pleasant like and all
plain sailing, or else to cause the crew for to smell brimstone afore
their time, I tell you! That Macdougall, now, though you laugh in that
light-hearted way, ain't to be trifled with, Mister Leigh, I warn you;
and if you go for to raise his dander ag'in you, wh