The boatswain whistled, the marines presented arms, and the officers all took off their hats as the captain came on the deck, and then the guard was dismissed, and they all walked about the deck as before; but I found it very pleasant to be astride on the gun, so I remained where I was.

'What do you mane by that, you big young scoundrel ?' says he, when he saw me.

'It's nothing at all I mane,' replied I; 'but what do you mane by calling an O'Brien a scoundrel ?' 'Who is he ?' said the captain to the first lieutenant.

'Mr O'Brien, who joined the ship about an hour since.' 'Don't you know better than to sit upon a gun ?' said the captain.

'To be sure I do,' replied I, 'when there's anything better to sit upon.' 'He knows no better, sir,' observed the first lieutenant.