Part 35 (1/2)

”No; nor don't want,” growled Je, for sartain, and p'r'aps stringing up at the yard-arm, as an example to others”

”Ho!” said Jem; ”do it? Well, you look the sort o' man as is best suited for that; and just you look here Nex' tiive you a worse dressing down than I give you last ti about deserting,” said the sinister-looking sailor, with a harsh laugh, which sounded as if he had a young watch to report I think this will do”

He went off rubbing his hands softly, and s had disappeared, when he turned sharply to Don

”Hiular set-to some day, Mas' Don He makes me feel warood Here, co tales Coot a word or two to say as well”

Don had not realised it before, but as he followed Jem, he suddenly woke to the fact that he did not feel so weak and giddy, while, by the time he was on deck, it as suddenly occurred to hiht as much,” said Jem ”Lookye there, Mas' Don Did you ever see such a miserable sneak?”

For there, not half-a-dozen yards aas the sinister-looking sailor talking to the bluff boatswain

”Oh, yes, of course,” said the latter, as he caught sight of the recruits ”So does every man who is pressed, and if he does not say it, he thinks it There, be off”

The ill-looking sailor gave Jely look and went aft, while the boatswain turned to Don

”That's right,” he said ”Make a bit of an effort, and you're all the better for it You'll get your sea legs directly”

”I wish he'd tell us where to get a sea leg o' ry”

”What's that?” said the boatswain

”Only said I was hungry,” growled Jem

”Better and better And, now, look here, you twoAnd take my advice; don't let such ain It doesn't matter this time, but, by-and-by, it may mean punishment”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

A CONVERSATION

The gale was left behind, and the weather proved glorious as they sped on towards the tropics, both going through all the drudgery to be learned by Government men, in company with the naval drill

There was so much to see and learn that Don found it impossible to be rets were felt hts; while the tiue soon sent him to sleep

The boatsas always bluff,out his advice, both Jem and Don picked up the routine of their life so rapidly as to gainword from their officers--words which, in spite of the hidden deter harder and harder to master that which they had to do

”Yes,” Jem used to say, ”they may be civil, but soft words butters no parsnips, Mas' Don; and being told you'll so a man back to his wife, nor a boy--I ht have said boy, Jem; I'etting your head pretty well now, Mas' Don, e're up aloft”