There sat our young coterie, laughing loudly, grouping themselves round some exceedingly minute object, which apparently was between Sam and Alice, and which, on close examination, turned out to be little Tacks, who was evidently making himself agreeable in a way hardly to be expected in one of his tender years.

And this is the way he got there:-- When Captain Blockstrop came in, Alice was duly impressed by the appearance of that warrior.

But when she saw little Tacks slip in behind him, and sit meekly down by the door; and when she saw how his character was appreciated by the cattle-dogs, one of whom had his head in the lad's lap, while the other was licking his face--when she saw, I say, the little blue and gold apparition, her heart grew pitiful, and, turning to Halbert, she said,-- "Why, good gracious me! You don't mean to tell me that they take such a child as that to sea; do you ?" "Oh dear, yes!" said Halbert, "and younger, too.

Don't you remember the story about Collingwood offering his cake to the first lieutenant?
He became, remember, a greater man than Nelson, in all except worldly honour." "Would you ask him to come and sit by me, if you please ?" said Alice.
So Halbert went and fetched him in, and he sat and had his breakfast between Alice and Sam.

They were all delighted with him; such a child, and yet so bold and self-helpful, making himself quietly at home, and answering such questions as were put to him modestly and well.