Poor old Daddy the hermit had given Creggan three maxims before he left his little island home, and the lad had always borne these in mind. They are not sentimental or namby-pamby, or I would not repeat them. They are just good, honest rules, that would help any sailor-boy to get his foot well on to the first rung of the ladder that leads to fame and fortune.
"My dear sonny," said the hermit, "mind you this, and mind it all your life:—
"First—If a thing is worth doing at all, it is worth doing well.
"Second—'Work while it is called to-day, for the night cometh when no man can work'.
"Third—Try to see your duty and make sure of it, and when you see it, go straight for it."
* * * * * * * * * * *
But Creggan dosed off at last, and soon slept soundly enough.
When he got into the gun-room next morning, he was saluted by his merry messmates in the following fashion.
"Creggan Ogg, hillo!"
"Hillo—o—o, old Creggan!"