"Well, sir, I thought once I would like to be a soldier, and wear a feather bonnet like father did; but grandma said 'No!' so I had to be a sailor. But I feel sure I shall like the sea."
"Don't talk, Jack. Why, you haven't been a dog-watch* in the service."
* The two shortest watches on board ship, from 4 to 6, and 6 to 8 p.m., are so called. They are thus arranged that the same men should not come on deck always at the same hours.
"No, sir, I didn't know there was a dog on board."
"Ha, ha, ha! Well, we have an old sea-dog in the shape of a bos'n, and we have a cat too, a beauty, but I don't like to see her taken out."
"Don't you like cats, sir?"
"Not cats with nine tails. But heave round, Jack."
"Heave what round, sir?"
"O Jack, you'll be the death of me. I mean heave round with your yarn. Tell me all about your people while I light my pipe. Never you learn to smoke, Jack," he continued, lighting a match, and holding it to the bowl of his meerschaum. Puff, puff, puff. "It is one of the worst habits out"—puff—"it weakens the heart"—puff—"weakens the nerves"—puff, puff—"and I don't know what all it doesn't do, but Dr. Reikie could tell you"—puff, puff. "Heave round, lad!"
Jack kept Lieutenant Sturdy interested for hours. Somehow the boy felt that he had found in this straightforward English sailor a true friend, and so he never hesitated to tell him all the events of his young life—all his trials and sufferings, and even his aspirations.