he office; "I hope
you haven't been getting into any row?"

"Not that I know of, sir," said I, flabbergasted by his question. "Why,
sir?"

"Because the captain left word he wants to speak to you," he replied.
"You must go up again on the main-deck to his quarters aft."

Thoroughly frightened at this, I proceeded as he had directed me; and,
on reaching the door of the captain's cabin, the marine sentry standing
outside passed on my name and I was ushered in.

Cap in hand and in a state of much trepidation, I went along the gangway
with him; and `bringing up' opposite an open door, I rapped at this with
my heart in my mouth.

"Hallo!" cried a voice within. "Who's there?"

"T-t-t," I stammered-- "T-T'm Bowling, sir."

"Oh!" exclaimed the same voice, in a softer and more kindly tone than at
first, when, I confess, it sounded rather gruff and peremptory. "Come
in, Tom Bowling."

With this, I went into what seemed to my eye, expecting, as I did,
something very different on board ship, one of the grandest apartments I
had ever seen; with sofas and pictures, and big looking-glasses, besides
a piano at the end, just like a drawing-room. Why, the Queen herself
couldn't have had a finer place to live in!

The captain, who, of course, was the owner of the voice that had
previously spoken, I saw was a nice, pleasant-faced, good-looking
officer, looking every inch a sailor, and a smart one too!

He was sitting in a comfortable easy-chair that was fitted with gimbals,
like the compass card in a binnacle, or some other appliance which
permitted the occupant to shift round as he pleased without moving the
seat; as my commanding officer did now, in order to face me.

"Don't be afraid, my lad," he said kindly, seeing, no doubt, how nervous
I looked. "I've only sent for you to let you know that I have been told
of your exceedingly courageous conduct just now in saving your shipmate
from a terrible death. I'm glad to see that you are bearing out by your
behaviour the strong recommendation Captain Mordaunt, who is an old
friend of mine, sent me when you came to join the service."

I declare you could have knocked me down with a feather on his saying
this, the revulsion of feeling being so great; for I had expected
something totally different, so I hardly knew what to say.

"Th-a-ank you, sir," I at last managed to get out. "I--I--I am very
much obliged to you, sir."

"No obligation at all, my lad," he said, smiling.