the small bundle he put into the boat, and telling Gascoigne what a
spoke he had put into his wheel, was soon in the boat with the captain,
and went on shore, where he was cordially greeted by the Governor.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

IN WHICH CAPTAIN WILSON IS REPAID WITH INTEREST FOR JACK'S BORROWING HIS
NAME; PROVING THAT A GOOD NAME IS AS GOOD AS A LEGACY.

"Well, Jack, my boy, have you any long story ready for me?" inquired the
Governor.

"Yes, sir," replied Jack, "I have one or two very good ones."

"Very well, we'll hear them after dinner," replied old Tom. "In the
meantime find out your room and take possession."

"That must not be for very long, Governor," observed Captain Wilson.
"Mr Easy must learn his duty, and there is a good opportunity now."

"If you please, sir," replied Jack, "I'm on the sick-list."

"Sick-list," said Captain Wilson; "you were not in the report that Mr
Wilson gave me this morning."

"No, I'm on Mr Pottyfar's list; and I'm going through a course of the
universal medicine."

"What's all this, Jack--what's all this?--there's some story here--don't
be afraid of the captain--you've me to back you," said the Governor.

Jack was not at all afraid of the captain, so he told him how the
first-lieutenant had refused him leave the evening before, and how he
had now given him permission to remain, and try the universal medicine,
at which the Governor laughed heartily, nor could Captain Wilson refrain
from joining.

"But, Mr Easy," replied the captain, after a pause, "if Mr Pottyfar
will allow you to stay on shore, I cannot--you have your duty to learn.
You must be aware that now is your time, and you must not lose
opportunities that do not occur every day. You must acknowledge the
truth of what I say."

"Yes, sir," replied Jack, "I admit it all, provided I do intend to
follow the profession;" and so saying, our hero bowed, and left the
veranda where they had been talking.

This hint of Jack's, thrown out by him more with the intention of
preventing his being sent on board than with any definite idea, was not
lost upon either the captain or the Governor.

"Does he jib, then?" observed the Governor.

"On the contrary, I never knew him more attentive and so entirely
getting rid of his former notions. He has behaved most nobly in the
gale, and there has not been one complaint against him--I never was more
astonished--he must have meant something."

"I'll tell you what he means,