s adventures, in all of which his honesty and courage were
remarkable, though he was not aware that what he said exhibited it.

"That's what the right training of good Captain Mudge has done for him,"
observed Mrs Judson, when he had gone. "I remember him a regular
pickle; and, if he had been left to himself, he would have been a
vagabond all his life, like many others who have had no kind friends to
look after them."

Peter's warning had not, it appeared, been lost upon Dick Bracewell; for
from that day Jessie saw him no more.

Peter came constantly, while he remained in Plymouth, to see her. At
his last visit he put the sum of thirty pounds into her hands. "I want
you to take this, Miss Flamank, and to spend any of it you like," he
said, while a blush spread over his sunburnt countenance. "It's my
savings since I was picked up by the _Kate_, and I always intended it
for you.--Well, if you won't accept it as a gift, remember, if what
happens to many a sailor happens to me, it will be yours. Now, don't
say no, and you'll make me more happy than I can tell you."

Peter would take no refusal, so at last Jessie consented to receive the
money, though she resolved not to spend it on any account. After Peter
had sailed, Jessie lived on much as before, except that with the money
she had received she was able to obtain many of the necessaries she had
before denied herself. Still her pale cheek told of a sad heart, and
though more than one young man well to do in the world asked her to
become his wife, she remained faithful to the memory of her lost Ralph.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1: A fictitious name sailors who have deserted generally assume to
escape recognition.

CHAPTER TEN.

The _Falcon_ proceeded on her voyage to India. Though she was refitted
as thoroughly as was possible in a foreign port, her commander had no
wish to encounter another enemy with so large a proportion of his crew
untried and inexperienced. He did his utmost, however, to get them into
efficient order, and every day that the weather permitted they were
exercised at the guns, as well as at making and shortening sail, and
taught the use of the small arms.

Ralph Michelmore was fully occupied, and had but little time to think of
his bitter disappointment at not returning home in the _Eagle_. By the
time the _Falcon_ reached the Hoogly, the crew had been brought into
excellent orde