pered the little follow. "I'm afraid
some of the other men will hear."

Jack Jeens, the rough sailor, drew a deep breath, as he held on to
Phil's jacket to make sure that he did not fall out, as he struggled up
at the side of the hammock; and then for some little time he did not
stir, while the huge vessel rolled and creaked and groaned, through
which sounds came the heavy breathing of the men swinging in their
hammocks.

But at last the future powder monkey crept softly back into his old
place and passed his arms round the rough sailor's neck, and a curious
thrill of satisfaction ran straight to Jack Jeens' heart as he felt two
little lips press his cheek, and heard a pleasant, soft voice whisper:

"Good-night, Jack. God bless you!"

It was not many minutes afterwards, and while the light from the
swinging lanthorn close up to the companion ladder by the marine sentry
had turned so dim that the man had opened the half transparent door to
snuff the candle within, that Jack Jeens, whose eyes in the gloom felt a
little moist, muttered to himself.

"He said `good-night. God bless you, Jack!' he did. And on'y think of
it--him amongst all these rough chaps a-sleeping here in the dark--
kneels up in my hammock, he did, poor little chap, and says his
prayers!"

CHAPTER FIVE.

Phil sprang out of the hammock at the first sound of a whistle, looking
rested and quite content, as he readily answered Jack's question about
sleeping well.

Then followed other questions put by half-awake sailors as to who he was
and how he came there--questions which began to trouble the little
fellow, till Jack Jeens came to his help.

"Who is he?" cried the big bluff sailor. "Why, he's my boy. He was
pressed along with me, and he's going to be a powder monkey."

"Rather a little un, eh?" said one joker. "Why, youngster, you'll do to
get in and sponge out the guns, only you must mind and not get stuck in
the touch-holes."

But Phil's appearance was enough to make all the men his friends, and
almost made Jack their enemy, for a strange kind of jealousy sprang up
as the crew made efforts to entice the little fellow away from his
companion. But the ill feeling soon died out, for though Phil had a
smile and a bright look for everyone, Jack Jeens was his great
attraction, and he was never happier than when he was at the big, rough
fellow's side.

The novelty of such a little fellow becoming one of the crew soon died
out, and in