Mr Reardon give it to me the day afore yesterday, and said I wasn't to talk about it, for it was just between ourselves." "It's a fine old watch," I said, feeling glad that the man we lads looked upon as such a stem tyrant could show so warm and generous a side to his nature.
"Said, sir, he gave it to me for attending so well to dishipline, as he called it, for he said if I had not attended well to my drill, there would have been no first lieutenant to give me a watch out of gratitude for saving his life." "You must take care of that, Morris," I said.
"Yes, sir," he said dolefully.

"That's the worst of it.

Gold watch is an orkard thing for a marine, but I mean to try." "And be very careful to wind it up regularly every night." He looked at me with his face all wrinkled up.
"Would you, sir--would you wind it up ?" "Why, of course; what's a watch for ?" "Well, that depends, sir.

It's all right for a gentleman, but don't seem no good to me.

We allus knows how many bells it is, and the sergeants takes good care that we're in time for everything.