"'Well,' said the lieutenant, laughing, 'now you have quite the air of the hulks about you.'
"This remark not being very complimentary, I did not feel called upon to make any reply.
"'You know,' he continued, 'that the brig is short about a dozen hands, and I want you to pick up a few likely lads here. I understand there are a number of able-bodied seamen skulking about the public-houses, where they will likely remain as long as their money lasts. I should like to secure as many of them as possible, and then capture a few stout landsmen to make up the number; but, in the first place, I want you to go and find out the best place to make a razzia.'
"I stared when I found myself all at once promoted to the post of pioneer for a party of kidnappers, and muttered something or other about honor.
"'Honor, sir!' roared the lieutenant, 'what has honor to do with it, sir? It is duty, sir. It is the laws of the service, sir, and you must obey them, sir.'
"'But it is hard, your honor,' said I, 'that the laws of the service should force men to do what they think is wrong.'
"'And what right, sir, have you to think it is wrong, or to judge the acts of your superiors? If the laws of the service order you fifty lashes at the yard-arm to-morrow, you will find that you will get them. Do you want to be handed over to the drummer, and to cultivate an acquaintance with the cat?'
"'No, your honor,' said I, laughing.
"The lieutenant's face by this time was as red as his whiskers, and, though he was in a towering rage, he quickly calmed down again, like boiling milk when it is taken off the fire.
"'Then,' said he, quietly, 'am I to understand you refuse?'