ued Jerry, making his escape out of the berth, and
leaving Prose with the collar so tight under his chin, that he could
scarcely open his mouth. Jerry arrived on the quarter-deck, just as the
captain was stepping into the boat, and he went up to him, and touching
his hat, presented him with the bunch of keys.

"Oh, thank you, Mr Jerry; I had forgotten them," said Captain M---,
descending the side, and shoving off.

"Whose clothes are these hanging on the davit-guys?" said Mr Bully, who
had given order that no clothes were to be drying after eight o'clock in
the morning.

"I believe that they are Mr Prose's, sir, though I am not sure,"
answered Jerry, who knew very well that they were not, but wished that
Prose should be sent for.

"Quarter-master, tell Mr Prose to come up to me directly." Jerry
immediately ran down to the berth.

"Well, now, Jerry, this is too bad, I do declare. Come, take it off
again, that's a good fellow."

"Mr Prose," said the quarter-master, "the first-lieutenant wants you on
deck directly."

"There now, Jerry, what a mess I might have been in! Where's the key?"

"I have not got it," replied Jerry; "the captain saw me on the
quarter-deck, and took the bunch of keys away with him."

"What! is the captain gone away? I do declare,--now, this is too bad,"
cried Prose, in a rage.

"Too bad!--why, man, don't be angry--it's a distinction. Between me and
the first-lieutenant, you are created a knight of the _Grand Cross_. I
gave you the _collar_, and he has given you the _order_, which I
recommend you to comply with, without you wish further elevation to the
mast-head."

"Mr Prose, the first-lieutenant wants you, immediately," said the
quarter-master, who had been despatched to him again.

"Why, how can I go up with a dog's collar round my neck?"

"I'm sorry, very sorry indeed, Prose. Never mind--say it was me."

"Say it was you! Why, so it was you. I'd better say that I'm sick."

"Yes, that will do. What shall your complaint be?--a _lockjaw_? I'll
go up and tell Mr Bully--shall I?"

"Do--tell him I'm not well."

Jerry went up accordingly. "Mr Prose is not well, sir--he has a sort
of lock-jaw."

"I wish to God you had the same complaint, sir," replied the
first-lieutenant, who owed him one. "Macallan, is Mr Prose ill?"

"Not that I know of; he has not applied to me. I'll go down and see him
before I go on shore."

Macallan came up laughing, but he recovered his seri