"'Up to-morrow. Why, then, I shall detain you until to-morrow, and then I shall press you.'
"'If you detain me now, sir, I am pressed to-day.'
"'Oh no! you are only detained until you prove your apprenticeship, that's all.'
"'Nay, sir, I certainly am pressed during my apprenticeship.'
"'Not at all, and I'll prove it to you. You don't belong to the ship until you are victualled on her books. Now, I shan't victual you to-day, and therefore, you won't be pressed.'
"'I shall be pressed with hunger, at all events,' replied Tom, who never could lose a joke.
"'No, you shan't; for I'll send you both a good dinner out of the gun-room, so you won't be pressed at all,' replied the lieutenant, laughing at Tom's reply.
"You will allow me to go, sir, at all events,' replied I; 'for I knew that the only chance of getting Tom and myself clear was by hastening to Mr. Drummond for assistance.
"'Pooh! nonsense; you must both row in the same boat as you have done. The fact is, my lads, I've taken a great fancy to you both, and I can't make up my mind to part with you.'
"'It's hard to lose our bread, this way,' replied I.