. For, Stukely being entered as surgeon,
Marshall offered him, as a matter of course, a stateroom aft, while
Chichester, being shipped merely as carpenter's mate, was directed to go
forward and establish himself in the house abaft the fore hatch, in
which were lodged the other petty officers. Dick, to do him justice,
was willing enough to accept the lodging assigned to him; but it was
Stukely who objected to being separated from his friend. He insisted
that Dick, being a gentleman, although merely a shipwright's apprentice,
was as much entitled to a cabin aft as he was himself; and when the
unreasonableness of this demand was pointed out to him he proposed that
he also should be permitted to berth forward. But neither could this be
managed, for there was only one spare bunk available in the petty
officers' house, namely that assigned to Chichester; therefore the
Captain's arrangement had perforce to stand, after all.

"Very well," said Stukely, when at last he was convinced that what he
desired was impossible; "let be; you and I, Dick, can at least walk and
talk together when we are off duty. And--listen, lad--in an adventure
such as this is like to be, many changes are both possible and probable;
my advice therefore is that you make friends with Master Bascomb and get
him to instruct you in the science of navigation, so that you may be
fully qualified to act as pilot, should the occasion arise. You will be
no worse a pilot because you happen to be a good shipwright; and your
proper place is aft among the gentles, where I hope to see thee soon."

"That's as may be," answered Dick, with a laugh. "Nevertheless thy
advice is good, and I will take it."

"And I, for my part, will give friend Bascomb a hint that he is to teach
thee all that thou art willing to learn," cut in Marshall. "For the
doctor is right; many changes are like to occur among us before we see
old England's shores again; and I shall be glad to know that I have one
aboard who is fit to take Bascomb's place, should aught untoward befall
him. And now, my masters both, away to your quarters and get a good
night's rest. You, doctor, will of course sleep in all night, and be on
duty all day; but as for you, Chichester, I will put you in a watch
to-morrow morning."

The next day saw the good ship _Adventure_ clear of the Channel; for the
breeze which had interfered so unceremoniously with the fortunes of Dick
and his friend held all through the night