ured Sir Henry that his offer would be accepted, and made
him shrewdly suspect that an object beyond the rank of boatswain
depended on it.

"Thank you, Sir Henry, thank you," he answered. "If Paul Pringle says
yes, so do I; and if Peter Ogle doesn't say no, I think that it will be
all right."

"But what has Peter Ogle to do with the matter?" inquired Sir Henry,
trying to be grave.

"Why, you see, Sir Henry, he's Mary's father, and it wouldn't be right
or shipshape to marry without his leave."

"Oh, I see," replied Sir Henry, who had suspected all along how matters
stood. "You have agreed with Mary Ogle to marry her as soon as you are
a boatswain; and as you did not expect to become one for some time to
come, you do not think it would be right `to steal a march,' as the
soldiers say, on her father, and accept the appointment without
consulting him."

"That's just it, Sir Henry," answered True Blue with his usual
frankness. "Peter knows I want to marry his daughter, and that Mary is
ready to marry me; and of course Paul knows it too, and, moreover, says
that I might search the world around and not find a better wife; and
that I know right well. But then, you see, Sir Henry, I expected, and
so did they, that I should have to go out to the East Indies, or round
the world maybe, before I should be able to get my warrant; and so I am
taken all aback, as it were, with joy and pleasure, and I do thank you
from my heart--that I do."

"All right, Freeborn!" exclaimed Sir Henry with evident pleasure, and
putting out his hand. "I wish you all happiness from my heart. We must
take care to pick up a good supply of prize-money, to help you to set up
housekeeping; and all I bargain for is, that you invite me to the
wedding."

"Ay, that I will, Sir Henry, and a right hearty welcome we'll give you,"
was the answer.

Paul Pringle and Peter Ogle yielded their very willing consent to True
Blue's acceptance of the offer made him, and he came, highly delighted,
to tell Sir Henry, who did not suppose that there would be any doubt
about the matter.

"I thought it would be so," he said, handing the newly made boatswain a
handsome silver call and chain. "You will wear this, Freeborn, for my
sake; and, not to lose time, I have already got your appointment. Mr
Nott has also got an acting order as second lieutenant, and Captain
Brine has spared me Tom Marline, Hartland, and Fid, so that you will
have several old shipmates with y