lling and pitching of the ship would permit. While
engaged in this occupation, the doctor entered the cabin.

"Hillo!" he exclaimed, "turning out, eh? Well done, young gentleman.
Steady! you have not shipped your sea-legs yet, as our friend the first
lieutenant would say; you must be cautious, or you will be thrown
against something or other, and get a nasty knock. Well, and how do you
feel this morning?"

"A trifle weak," I replied, "that's all. I dare say I shall be better
when I have had breakfast."

"That's your sort," responded the jolly old medico; "if you are hungry,
there is not much wrong with you; but you mentioned breakfast. Have you
any notion what time it may happen to be?"

"Not much," I replied; "but I fear it is rather late."

"That depends upon what you call late," he retorted. "Some of your
town-bred dandies are only in their first nap about this time. As a
matter of absolute fact, however, it has just gone eight bells, or noon;
so that you see, my young friend, breakfast is over long enough ago.
But I dare say Patterson can find something for you all the same." He
rang a small hand-bell which stood on the table, and the captain's
steward made his appearance. "Patterson," said the doctor, "this young
gentleman complains that he is hungry. Have you any trifle, such as the
wing of a chicken, or something of that sort, in your pantry that you
could give him?"

"No, sir," replied the man, with a grin, "I'm afraid I've not. But if a
nice rasher of bacon and a cup of coffee will do--"

"Splendidly," I interrupted. "To tell you the truth, doctor, I am
hungry enough to eat a horse, harness and all; so I shall be very glad
to have either a rasher of bacon or anything else that is quickly
obtainable."

Patterson was not long in getting ready the promised repast, which I
cleared to the last morsel; after which I made my way on deck. The
skipper was there, promenading the weather side of the quarter-deck, the
first luff jogging fore and aft alongside of him. I was called up, a
few kind inquiries made, together with a eulogistic remark or two upon
my conduct of the previous evening; and the whole neatly finished off
with an intimation that, having begun so well, great things would be
expected of me in future, and that, having established a reputation for
zeal and gallantry, it was hoped I would do my utmost to maintain it;
after which I was dismissed. I soon found that my exploit had placed