watered, of reading it under
the half-deck, while Price was showing the two gentlemen into the cabin.
Not to deliver a note on service was an offence for which Captain
M--- would have dismissed him from the ship; but to be perched up, like
a monkey, at the mast-head, in the afternoon, after having fought like a
man in the morning, was very much against the grain. At any other time
he would have cared little about it. He went upon deck again, where he
found Prose on the gangway--"Well, Prose, my boy, how are you?"

"Why, upon my soul, Jerry, I am tired to death. Seven times have I been
backward and forward to that abominable privateer, and now my tea is
ready, and I am ordered to go again for these gentlemen's things."

"Well, that is hard. I will go for you, Prose, shall I? Where's the
boat?"

"All ready, alongside. Well, now, it's very kind of you, Jerry, I do
declare."

Jerry laid hold of the man-ropes, and began to descend the side--and
then, as if recollecting himself of a sudden, said, "Oh, by the bye, I
had nearly forgot. Here's a note from the master to Mr Price. Give it
him, Prose."

"Yes, Jerry, I will," replied Prose, walking over to the side of the
quarter-deck where Price was carrying on the duty, while Jerry made all
the haste he could, and shoved off in the boat.

"A note, sir, from Mr Pearce, the master."

"Hum," said Price, running it over. "Mr Prose, go up to the masthead,
and stay there till I call you down."

"Sir!" replied Prose, aghast.

"No reply, sir--up immediately."

"Why, sir, it was--"

"Another word, sir, and I'll keep you there all night," cried Price,
walking forward, in furtherance of the duty he was carrying on.

"Well, now, I do declare! What have I done?" said Prose, with a
whimpering voice as he reluctantly ascended the main-rigging, not
unperceived by Jerry, who was watching the result as he pulled on board
of the privateer.

"Come on board for these gentlemen's clothes, sir," said Jerry,
reporting himself to Mr Pearce, who, not a little surprised to see him,
inquired--

"Did Mr Price receive my note?"

"Yes, sir, he did."

"Why, I requested him to masthead you!"

"Many thanks, sir, for your kindness," replied the youngster, touching
his hat.

Pearce, who was annoyed that his request should not have been complied
with, stated his feelings on the subject to Price, when he returned to
the ship in the evening.

Price declared that he had sent Prose to