d to Batavia, where, it was hoped, a
sufficient number of men would be found to man her, as she would prove a
valuable addition to the British squadron in those seas. As soon as Mr
Leigh was able he went on board the "Sylvia," taking Owen with him.

"Young Hartley has behaved admirably, sir," he said to Captain Stanhope.
"Through his intelligence we were saved from being set upon by the
Frenchmen, who had formed a plot to attempt the recapture of the prize."

He then gave the particulars with which he was acquainted of Owen's
history.

"I believe I am right, am I not?" he continued, turning to Owen.

"Yes, sir," was the answer.

Captain Stanhope then put numerous questions to Owen, which he answered
in an apparently satisfactory way.

"As my clerk--poor Jones--in our action with the `Venus' was wounded and
has since died, I will give you his berth at once," said the captain,
"as I understand you are fully capable of filling it, and I may perhaps,
if you wish it, place you on the quarter-deck as a midshipman, unless
you would rather take any opportunity which may occur of returning to
your friends. If you stick to the service you may rise in it."

"Thank you, sir," said Owen; "I wish to do as you think best. I am very
willing to act as your clerk, and hope that I may give you satisfaction.
I had not thought of entering the navy or remaining at sea in the
merchant service."

"At all events, I will at once give you a rating as my clerk; you will
then be on the quarter-deck and mess in the midshipmen's berth. In
regard to your entering the service I will leave it to your further
consideration."

"If poor Jones' things have not yet been sold I shall be happy to
purchase them for Mr Hartley," said Mr Leigh.

The second lieutenant was a young man of good means.

"You shall do as you wish," said the captain. "At all events I will
speak to the purser, and see that Hartley gets a proper outfit. The
tailor will soon put a patch on his jacket should he become a
midshipman."

Owen felt very grateful to the captain and his kind friend the second
lieutenant. He did not hesitate for a moment about acting as the
captain's clerk while he remained on board, but he asked himself the
question whether it was not his duty, should he find the opportunity, to
return to Mr Fluke's counting-house, from which he had not been
formally dismissed. He had come only for a holiday to regain his
health, and he considered that he wa