Jack did not much admire this bet on the part of his uncle, but still less did he like the want of good manners in not waiting for him. He had just time to see the covers removed, to scent a whiff of the goose, and was off.
“The Admiral wants to know how the wind is, sir,” said Jack to the officer of the watch.
The officer of the watch went to the binnacle, and setting the wind as nearly as he could, replied, “Tell Sir Theophilus that it is South West and by West three-quarters West.”
“That’s one of those confounded long points that I never can remember,” cried Jack, in despair.
“Then you’ll ‘get goose,’ as the saying is,” observed one of the midshipmen.
“No; I’m afraid that I sha’n’t get any,” replied Jack, despondingly. “What did he say, South West and by North three-quarters East?”
“Not exactly,” replied his messmate, who was a good-natured lad, and laughed heartily at Jack’s version. “South West and by West three-quarters West.”
“I never can remember it,” cried Jack. “I’m to have five guineas if I do, and no dinner if I don’t: and if I stay here much longer, I shall get no dinner at all events, for they are all terribly peckish, and there will be none left.”
“Well, if you’ll give me one of the guineas, I’ll show you how to manage it,” said the midshipman.
“I’ll give you two, if you’ll only be quick and the goose a’nt all gone,” replied Jack.