s
last night by the goods train from our place, addressed to the brokers
in Leadenhall Street, as they directed, sir; so I hope it will arrive in
time," I replied, quite proud of a grown-up fellow like Mr Mackay
addressing me as "Mister."

"You needn't be alarmed about its safety, then, I suppose," observed he
jokingly. But, of course, although he might have thought so from my
manner, I had really no fears respecting the fate of my chest, and of
its being forthcoming when I wanted it. Indeed, until that moment, I
had not thought about it at all; for I knew father had despatched it all
right from Westham; and when he attended to anything no mishap ever
occurred--at least that was our opinion at home!

Fancying, from the expression of my face as these thoughts and the
recollection of those I had left behind at the rectory flashed through
my mind, that I was perhaps worrying myself about the chest, which of
course I wasn't, Mr Mackay hastened, as he imagined, to allay my fears.

"There, there! don't bother yourself about your belongings, my boy,"
said he kindly; "your chest and other dunnage came down to the ship
early this morning from the brokers along with that of the other
youngsters, and you'll find it stowed in that after-deckhouse below
there, where you midshipmen or apprentices will all live together in a
happy family sort of way throughout the voyage."

"Thank you, sir," I answered, much obliged for his courtesy and
information; although, I confess, I wondered where the "house" was of
which he spoke, there being nothing like even a cottage on the deck,
which with everything connected with it was utterly strange to me.

My face must again have reflected my thoughts; for even Tim Rooney
noticed the puzzled expression it bore, as I looked over the poop rail
in the direction Mr Mackay pointed.

"I don't think, sorr, the young gintleman altogether onderconstubbles
your manin'," he remarked to the mate in that loud whisper of his which
the poor man really did not intend me to hear, as I'm sure he wouldn't
have intentionally hurt my feelings. "Sure an' it's a reg'ler green
hand the bhoy is entoirely."

"Never mind that now; he'll soon learn his way to the weather earring,
if I don't mistake the cut of his jib," retorted Mackay in a lower tone
of voice than the other, although I caught the sense of what he said
equally well, as he turned to me again with the evident desire of
putting me at my ease. "Have you s