Harry's statement that he wished to take a passage to Callao in the vessel

advertised to start in a week's time, and that he was much obliged to them

for giving Bertie a berth as supernumerary midshipman, said:

 

"We shall certainly have pleasure in putting your brother's name on the

ship's books. He has already explained to me his desire to go out with

you; we have had every reason to be satisfied with him since he entered

our service, and he had better draw pay as usual, as his service during

the voyage will then count towards his time. As for yourself, we do not

book passengers, it is more bother than it is worth; but we have no

objection to our masters taking one or two. The addition of a mouth or so

practically makes very little difference in the amount of ships' stores

consumed. The masters pay us a small sum a head and make their own terms

with the passengers they take. In that way we are saved all complaints as

to food and other matters. Of course a passenger would put on board for

himself a stock of such wines, spirits, and little luxuries as he may

choose.

 

"You will find Captain Peters down at the docks. The last cargo has been

discharged, and they are giving an overhaul to the rigging and making a

few repairs; he is not a man to leave his ship if he can help it while

work is going on there."

 

Harry at once went down.

 

"Well, sir," the captain said, when he had told him that he wished to take

a passage to Callao, and that the owners had referred him to him, "I had

fully made up my mind that I would not take passengers again. On my last

voyage they were always grumbling at the food, expecting to be treated as

if they were in a first-class hotel."

 

"I am not likely to grumble, Captain; I have been knocking about the

King's service since I was fourteen."

 

"Oh, you are a royal navy man, are you, sir?"

 

"I am; I am a lieutenant."

 

"That makes a difference; and I have no doubt we can arrange the matter to

our satisfaction."

 

"I may tell you," Harry said, "that I have a younger brother coming out

with me. He is an apprentice nearly out of his time, and was on board the

_Stella_ when she was sunk in the Channel. Your owners have kindly

arranged that he shall go out with you as a supernumerary; that is one

reason why I wish to go in your ship."

 

The Master thought for a minute or two. "Well, Mr. Prendergast," he said,

"I like having one of you naval gentlemen on board; if anything goes wrong