“Eh? Who was that? Yes, I remember. Well, he ought to have taken you down. Here, Mr Terry, Mr Roylance—oh, there you are!—take Mr Belton down and introduce him to his messmates; and, I say, youngster—no, never mind now. Look sharp and learn your duties. Hi! you sirs, what are you doing with that yard?” he yelled out to some men up aloft, and he walked nimbly away just as the two midshipmen joined Syd.
“Thought, as you were the captain’s son, you might be going to have your quarters in the cabin,” said Terry, with a sneering look in his face. “Be better there, wouldn’t he, Roy?”
“I should think so,” said the other, looking at the new-comer quizzically.
“My father said I should have to be with the other midshipmen,” said Syd, quickly.
“With the midshipmen, not the other midshipmen,” said Terry, with a sneer. “You are not a midshipman, are you?”
“I suppose I am going to be one when I have learned how,” replied Sydney, shortly. “My father said that I was not to expect any favours because I was the captain’s son.”
“Did he now?” said Roylance; “and what did your mother say?”
Syd winced, and looked so sharply at the speaker that the latter pretended to be startled.
“Wo ho!” he cried. “I say, Terry, this chap’s a fire-eater; a bit wild.”
“Here, come along down, youngster. Don’t banter him, Hoy,” said Terry, who had noticed that the officer who had given the order was coming back, and he led the way toward the companion-ladder.