What made you so long, Mr Simple--where is my night-glass ?" "Here it is, sir," replied I, handing him the tumbler of grog; "I told the steward to make it stiff." The captain and the first lieutenant burst out into a laugh for Mr Doball was known to be very fond of grog; the former walked aft to conceal his mirth; but the latter remained.

Mr Doball was in a great rage.

"Did not I say that the boy was half a fool ?" cried he to the first lieutenant.

"At all events, I'll not allow that he has proved himself so in this instance," replied Mr Falcon, "for he has hit the right nail on the head." Then the first lieutenant joined the captain, and they both went off laughing.

"Put it on the capstan, sir," said Mr Doball to me, in an angry voice.