Blue, by directing his attention entirely to the work,
had become really as good a navigator as any of the midshipmen, and a
better one than those who were content to fudge their day's work, and
never attempted to understand the principle of the science.

Of navigation, Tom Marline, like most seamen not officers, was
profoundly ignorant. Paul, therefore, told him that he was very sorry
he could not bestow on him the rating of lieutenant, which he must give
to True Blue, but that he would make him sailing-master. Harry Hartland
should be a midshipman, on account of his general steadiness and
intelligence; the Dutchman should be cook, and the other four men crew;
while Tim Fid, who was little less a pickle than when he was a boy, must
do duty as gunroom and purser's steward, besides doing his work as part
of the crew.

At this arrangement no one grumbled; indeed, all hands liked the
boatswain. It was arranged that his gunroom officers should mess with
him, Harry also being invited as a regular guest. Paul took one watch
with four of the men. True Blue, with Tom, Harry, Fid, the Dane, and
the Dutchman, had the other.

These various arrangements occupied some time after the schooner lost
sight of the corvette. In the next day, the wind being very light, she
made but little progress. The day following, the weather, which had
long been fine, gave signs of changing; and instead of the clear blue
sky and glass-like sea, which for many weeks had surrounded the ship,
dark clouds gathered overhead, sudden gusts of winds began to blow, and
the water began to undulate, and every now and then to hiss and foam as
the blast passed over it. Then down came the rain in right earnest, and
continued for some hours, the watery veil obscuring every object beyond
a mile or so. Suddenly, as the rain ceased, about two miles off, a
schooner was seen, apparently the size of the prize, if not larger, and
dead to windward.

Paul instantly hoisted French colours, and the other vessel did the
same. On looking at her through a telescope, she appeared to have on
board a numerous crew. Paul, however, determined at all events not to
be taken, and, following the example of Captain Brine, he called his
crew aft and made them a speech.

"Lads," he began, "you know what we did in the corvette. We beat off a
frigate twice our size; we took this craft with twelve men, for, no
blame to him, my brother officer, Mr Bush, and his companions did not