There were a number of youths on board the American ship whose ages were from twelve to fourteen.
Many a lad, at that time, received his warrant as a midshipman while still in his tenth year.
If he was tall and well formed no questions were asked, but if below the ordinary stature he was interrogated closely.
It was illegal to enroll any boy's name on the roster, unless he had passed his twelfth birthday.
Jack Creamer wanted two weeks to be ten years old, but he was allowed to stay on board.
When Jack saw the English frigate approaching he looked troubled.
No one would have thought he was so young, for his face looked pinched and wan.
"Cowardly, cowardly, custard!" sneered one of the middies who had managed to get enrolled, though only eleven years old.
"I am no coward," said Jack.