He was a great favourite in his part of the ship, and especially in his own mess, principally composed of lads of his own age.

That morning two of his young mess-mates had gone to his bag, taken out his best clothes, and, obtaining the permission of the marine sentry at the "brig," had handed them to him, to be put on against being summoned to the mast.

This was done to propitiate the Captain, as most captains love to see a tidy sailor.

But it would not do.

To all his supplications the Captain turned a deaf ear.