Part 63 (2/2)

”Get out; he doesn't want ”

”No gammon, really You are to come at once”

”Is this serious?”

”Yes: honour”

”But--oh, Bob, I'ive you Courement as he could with his cap, and followed his messmate on deck, where, to his horror, he found officers and lorified by the setting sun, and all beneath the quarter-deck awning bathed in a golden glow

One of the first objects upon which his eyes lit was the young lieutenant, looking weak and pale, as he sat there in unifor many days Tom Fillot and the rest of the prize creere in front, and as Mark shrinkingly ave him a friendly s nods

Mark felt miserable, for, as Bob kindly told him afterwards, he looked just like an escaped lunatic, who had jumped out of a strait waistcoat into ain derision at his aspect, especially To, while Soup and Taters displayed nearly every one of theirin his ears too, and a sensation of giddiness; and when Mr Whitney nodded and looked hard at hiht that Bob Howlett's words were right, and that the doctor was really going to lecture upon his bald head

Then the captain spoke, amidst the most profound silence, and Mark felt as if he were a culprit, and as ready to hang his head; but somehow he drew a deep breath and held himself up stiffly, and his eyes flashed defiance, as he said to hih if they like I did ain, Mr Vandean,” said the captain, shaking hands, and speaking in his clear, penetrating tones ”I know that you have felt a little shrinking naturally, sir, but no British sailor need be ashamed of scars received in an honourable service”

”Thank you, sir,” ratitude

”I sent for you, Mr Vandean, because I felt that you ought to hear an announcement I have to make to the whole crew of her Majesty's sloop _Nautilus_”

He paused for a moment or two, and whispered to Mr Staples, as close behind hiallantly taken, lost, and retaken by the brave little prize crew I sent on board, have been condemned and sold They are beautiful little well-formed vessels, and have made a splendid price--Silence!”

There had been a low murmur, which was instantly checked

”Then for head hty-seven poor black fellow-creatures rescued fro hells, there will also be a handsome sust the smartest crew a captain in Her Majesty's service could wish to command”

Here there was an attempt at a cheer, but the captain held up his hand

”I have a few more words to say, and they are these We all owe our thanks to those officers and men who have turned what had so far been a barren ti us ould not gladly have done his duty as well; and no doubt--it shall not be my fault if they do not--others will have plenty of opportunities for distinguishi+ng theht all to publicly thank these officers and lad to hear that I have strongly recoallant friend Mr Russell for promotion, which he has won by his brave efforts and his sufferings in our great huht to wipe away the sinister black bar from the world's shi+eld of civilisation Stop, my lads; you shall cheer directly Dance, Fillot, and Bannock stand next for pro so brave an example with theirBritishthe ranks, and Mark saw that To like a schoolboy, while Dance could not stand still Alht Bob Howlett's eyes, which twinkled with mischief and seemed to say, ”Your turn now”

”One more word,” said the captain, ”and I have done”

He paused, and in the intense, painful silence the glowing quarter-deck, with its many faces, seemed to swim round Mark Vandean

”There is one whom I have not named,” said the captain--”Mr Vandean”

Here, unchecked, there was a tremendous cheer, in which the officers joined, and the captain s a little, and he trembled

Then, as there was silence once more, the captain turned to him