take this opportunity,
Mr Chester, of thanking you for saving my life yesterday. But for your
timely interposition, I must infallibly have been killed; and I thank
you very sincerely for the promptitude with which you acted. Sailors
are not in the habit of making overmuch of such services; we perform
them for each other, and think very little about it; but the fact
remains, all the same, and I shall not forget it. I have also to thank
you for the conspicuous gallantry you displayed in boarding the prize,
gallantry which evidently had a strong effect upon the men, and
contributed in no inconsiderable degree to our success. So pleased am I
with your conduct that I have felt justified in making special mention
of you in the despatch which I sent in with the prize, and I think I may
venture to promise you that what I have said will be found to exercise a
favourable influence on your future prospects. Go on as you have begun,
and you will do well. Above all things, study hard; you will find it
uphill work at first, no doubt, but every step you take will make those
which succeed it easier, until you will at length find that you can
acquire naturally and without effort all the knowledge that is required
to make you proficient in your profession. Of course I do not mean that
you should give your _whole_ time to study, a little recreation now and
then is not only allowable, but beneficial; but do not give your whole
thoughts to play, as I am sadly afraid your messmate Markham does."

This mention of my mercurial friend brought back so vividly to my mind
the recent scene in our berth that I was--as the newspaper reporters
say--"risibly affected," a circumstance which did not fail to attract
general attention.

Captain Brisac looked both disconcerted and annoyed. "What is it, Mr
Chester? What have I said to afford you so much amusement?" he asked.

"I beg your pardon, sir," I replied. "I was not laughing at anything
_you_ said, but your mention of Mr Markham reminded me of something
ridiculous which _he_ said. I hope you will be pleased to excuse me,
sir. I should be extremely sorry to do anything having the appearance
of rudeness or disrespect."

"I feel quite sure you would," returned the skipper, his brow clearing
once more, and an amused look coming into his eyes.

"But let us hear what that jocular young gentleman has been saying; it
is not a state secret, I suppose, is it?"

"Oh dear no, sir; at the same ti