the skipper don't like it--I'll swear that by his look as he
turned from the gangway. He was as stern as the figure-head of the
_Mars_."

"That's just his way; if even the elements threaten him, he returns the
look of defiance."

"He does so," replied the master, who appeared to be unusually grave (as
if in sad presentiment of evil). "I've watched him often.--But it's no
use--they mind but one."

"Very true--neither can you conciliate them by smiling; the only way to
look is _to look sharp out_. Eh, master?" said the first-lieutenant,
slapping him familiarly on the back.

"Come, no skylarking, Hardy--it's easy to tell the skipper isn't on
deck. I expect as much sleep to-night as a dog vane--these
south-westers generally last their three days."

"I am glad to hear that," said Merrick, a youngster, with an oval
laughing face, who, being a favourite with both the officers, had
ventured to the weather-side of the quarter-deck in the absence of the
captain.

"And why, Mr Merrick?" inquired the master.

"Oh! it's my morning watch to-morrow. We shall be all snug; no sails to
trim, no sails to set, and no holystoning the deck--nothing to do but to
keep myself warm under the weather bulwarks."

"Ah, you idle scamp," said the first-lieutenant, smiling.

"So, young man, you wish us to be on deck all night, that you may have
nothing to do in the morning. The day will come when you will know what
responsibility is," retorted Pearce.

"If you're up all night, sir," replied the boy, laughing, "you'll want a
cup of coffee in the morning watch. I shall come in for my share of
that, you know."

"Ah, well, it's an ill wind that blows nobody good," observed Pearce,
"but you are young to be selfish."

"Indeed I am not selfish, sir," replied the boy, hurt at the rebuke from
one who had been kind to him, and to whom he was attached. "I was only
joking. I only meant," continued he, feeling deeply, but not at the
moment able to describe his feelings--"I only said--oh! Damn the
coffee."

"And now you are only swearing, I suppose," replied the master.

"Well, it's enough to make a saint swear to be accused of being selfish,
and by you too."

"Well, well, youngster, there's enough of it--you spoke without
thinking. Go down to your tea now, and you shall have your share of the
coffee to-morrow, if there is any."

After supper the watch was called, and the directions given by the
captain to the first-lieutenant were