d big boy, almost a man; but I am a
Queen's officer, and if I speak to the men it is in the Queen's name.
And look at them too. They are not like ordinary sailors. I have not
been on board this schooner and mixing with them and talking to them all
this time for nothing. It was plain enough at first, and I was nearly
sure, but I made myself quite. Nearly every one of them has been at
some time or other in the Royal Navy--men who have served their time,
and then been got hold of by the skipper to sign and serve on board his
craft. They are a regular picked crew of good seamen fit to serve on
board any man-of-war, and I wonder they haven't been kept. They weren't
all trained for nothing. See how well they obey every order, as smart
as smart. That means training and recollecting the old discipline.
Why, if I talk to them right they won't stop to think that I am only a
middy. I shall speak to them as an officer, and it will come natural to
them to obey--in the Queen's name. It is my duty too as an officer, and
as an officer it means everything--midshipman, lieutenant, captain or
admiral--an admiral is only an officer, and at a time like this I am
equal to an admiral--well, say captain. I don't care, I'll do it.--All
these rough plucky chaps of course wouldn't be afraid of me as a boy;
they'd laugh at me. Of course I know that; but it will be the officer
speaking--yes, the officer."

The middy's head began metaphorically to swell out until it seemed to
grow very big indeed, making him feel quite a man--and more.

"Yes," he said, "I'll do it. I must do it. Now's the time, and I
should be an idiot if I neglected such a chance."

Drawing a deep breath, he turned his head slowly, and assuming as
careless a manner as he could command, he looked back inboard beneath
the swelling sails, to see that several of the men were lying asleep in
the shade, while others were smoking and chatting together. The
boatswain was not visible, and the mate was apparently below, the after
part of the vessel being vacant save that the man at the wheel was
standing with outstretched hands resting upon the spokes, moving his
lower jaw slowly as he worked at his succulent quid.

Poole was still below with his father in the cabin, so that to the
middy's way of thinking he had the deck to himself. He took another
deep breath, and with his heart beating heavily, swung himself round,
laid hold of a rope, and climbed inboard again, when ass