I observed that they all had numbers on their jackets, and either one or two bright iron rings on their legs.

I could not help inquiring, although I was in such a hurry, why the rings were worn.

One of them replied that they were orders of merit, given to them for their good behaviour.
I was proceeding on very disconsolately, when, as I turned a corner, to my great delight, I met my two men, who touched their hats and said that they had been looking for me.

I did not believe that they told the truth, but I was so glad to recover them that I did not scold, but went with them down to the boat, which had been waiting some time for us.
O'Brien, the master's mate, called me a young sculping,[1] a word I never heard before.

When we arrived on board, the first lieutenant asked O'Brien why he had remained so long.