and gratitude. What
should you say now if the way was open to you of becoming an officer--
first lieutenant of a ship like this, or perhaps her Captain? There is
nothing to prevent it. I am very sure that you would be welcomed by all
those among whom you were placed."

"There would be no difficulty as to expense," said the gentleman from
the shore.

True Blue looked up at first as if the Captain was joking with him; then
he became very grave, and in a voice almost choking with agitation he
answered, "Oh, don't ask me, sir; don't ask me. I don't want to be
anything but a seaman, such as my father was before me. I couldn't go
and leave Paul, and Abel, and Peter, and the rest--men who have bred me
up, and taught me all a sailor's duties in a way very few get taught. I
couldn't, indeed, I wouldn't, leave them even to be an officer on the
quarterdeck."

True Blue was silent, and no one spoke for some time, till the Captain
turned aside to the gentleman and said, "I told you that I thought it
likely such would be his answer. You must find some means of overcoming
his scruples. Perhaps Elmore and Nott will manage him by themselves
better than we shall."

The two midshipmen took the hint and invited True Blue to accompany them
out of the cabin. They wisely did not take him on the quarterdeck, but
got him between two of the after-guns, where they could converse without
interruption. The result of the deliberation was that True Blue
promised to consult his friends on the subject; and Elmore wound up by
saying, "At all events, you must come up with me to see my mother and
sisters in London. They will not be content without thanking you, and
they cannot come down here to do so."

"With you, Sir Henry!" said True Blue, thinking that the midshipman
really now was joking. "They wouldn't know what to do with such as me.
I should like to go and see great London town--that I should; but--
but--"

"No `buts,' and so you shall, Freeborn; and that's all settled."

True Blue got leave of absence that afternoon, and Abel Bush accompanied
him to the hospital, where he left him with Paul. He had never been
more happy in his life, for the hospital servants were very glad to have
their labours lightened, and left him to attend all day long on his
godfather, and on several other wounded shipmates in the same ward. He
told Paul all that had been said to him, and all the offers made him;
but his godfather declined giving any