required; and in
consequence was reported to be accumulating a fortune. As is usually
the case, he kept open house for the captains who were his clients, and
occasionally invited the junior officers to the hospitalities of his
table, so that Mrs Phillips and Emma were of great use to him, and had
quite sufficient to do in superintending such an establishment. Having
thus made our readers better acquainted with our new characters, we
shall proceed.

"Well, young man, I've heard all about you from my sister. So you wish
to leave off vagabondising, do you?"

"Yes, sir," replied Joey.

"How old are you? can you keep books?"

"I am seventeen, and have kept books," replied our hero, in innocence;
for he considered Mrs Chopper's day-books to come under that
denomination.

"And you have some money--how much?"

Joey replied that he had so much of his own, and that his sister had so
much more.

"Seven hundred pounds; eh, youngster? I began business with 100 pounds
less; and here I am. Money breeds money; do you understand that?" and
here Joey received a knuckle in his ribs, which almost took his breath
away, but which he bore without flinching, as he presumed it was a mark
of good will.

"What can we do with this lad, Sleek?" said Mr Small; "and what can we
do with his money?"

"Let him stay in the counting-house here for a week," replied Mr Sleek,
"and we shall see what he can do; and, as for his money, it will be as
safe here as in a country bank, until we know how to employ it, and we
can allow five per cent for it." All this was said in a shower of
spray, which induced Joey to wipe his face with his pocket-handkerchief.

"Yes, I think that will do for the present," rejoined Mr Small; "but
you observe, Sleek, that this young lad has very powerful interest, and
we shall be expected to do something for him, or we shall have the worst
of it. You understand that?" continued he, giving Joey a knuckle again.
"The ladies! no standing against them!"

Joey thought there was no standing such digs in the ribs, but he said
nothing.

"I leave him to you, Sleek. I must be off to call upon Captain James.
See to the lad's food and lodging. There's an order from the gun-room
of the _Hecate_." So saying, Mr Small departed.

Mr Sleek asked our hero where he was stopping; recommended him another
lodging close to the house, with directions how to proceed, and what
arrangements to make; told him to haste as much as he c