"Here's some good news for you, Master Bob." "Oh ?" said the latter expectantly.

"Good news, Captain ?" "Yes," went on the old sailor, "my friend, Commander Sponson, of the Coastguard, writes to me to say that one of the new ironclads is going out of harbour next week on her trial trip; and, if you like, you shall have a chance of seeing what sort of vessel a modern ship of war is." "Oh thank you, Captain Dresser, that will be jolly!" said Bob, his face colouring up with pleasure.

"But, will she fire her guns and all ?" "Certainly," answered the other, "big guns, little guns, torpedo-tubes, and the whole of her armoury! Besides, my boy, you'll be able to see her machinery at work, as she will try her speed on the measured mile; and then you can ask one of the engineers all those puzzling questions you bothered my old brains with when we were on board the steamer this morning." "That will be jolly," repeated Bob; "and--" "There, there," cried the Captain, interrupting him, "I won't say another word now, I'm much too famished to talk.

Mrs Gilmour, what have you got for a poor hungry creature to eat, eh, ma'am ?" "Anything you like," she responded with a smile.

"Pray sit down and begin." "I will," said he, seating himself with alacrity; and turning to the coastguardsman, he added-- "I suppose, Hellyer, you could pick a bit too, eh ?" "Yes, sir, saving your presence.