ty demands, stick to that
principle, and you will never go wrong!" observed the captain. "But you
must remember we do not always enjoy the fine weather we have hitherto
had. You must take the rough with the smooth; we may chance to meet
with a typhoon in the eastern seas, or heavy gales off the Cape, and
things won't be as pleasant as they are now."

"I am aware of that, sir," said Owen. "When I came to sea I was fully
prepared to meet with bad as well as fair weather. I should be most
sorry not to meet with a gale of wind during the voyage."

"You are not likely to be disappointed in that respect, although I have
been out and home without having had to lift tack or sheet for weeks
together," observed the captain.

"I was going to ask you, sir, if I might be placed in a watch, should
you think me sufficiently competent to do the duty."

"O yes, I will trust you for that; and as you wish it, you shall be in
the first mate's watch."

"And so, youngster, you want to turn sailor?" said Mr Scoones, the
first night on which Owen was in his watch.

"As I am at sea I wish to learn all I can," answered Owen.

"You'll have a chance of picking up a smattering before we get home
again; but I never knew any `cabin young gentlemen' turn out sailors,"
answered the mate, with a sneer. "A man is not worth anything unless he
comes in at the `hawse holes,' to my mind."

"I will do my best while I am on board, and get all the knowledge I
can," said Owen.

"Well, you'll have to obey me pretty smartly, or look out for squalls,"
growled the mate, turning away.

Owen did not like these remarks, but of course he made no reply. He
soon found that the first mate acted up to his threats. Among the boys
was a young lad, Nat Midge by name, who was constantly the victim of the
mate's tyranny. Nat had come to sea for the first time, and, although
intelligent and fairly educated, did not always understand what he was
to do. He also was in the first mate's watch. When he did not appear
to comprehend the orders he received Owen explained them, taking every
opportunity of instructing him. Nat was grateful, and conceived a warm
friendship for his instructor.

Owen told him how he himself had learned so rapidly, and advised him to
follow the same plan.

"Among so many men you will find several good natured enough to explain
matters to you, and never fail to ask the why and the wherefore of
anything you see done," he said. "Do not