'Yes, sir, and very unseasonably. The other day, you may recollect, when you punished Wilson the marine, whom I appointed to take care of his chest and hammock, he was crying the whole time; almost tantamount--at least an indirect species of mutiny on his part, as it implied----'
'That the boy was sorry that his servant was punished; I never flog a man but I'm sorry myself, Mr. Markitall.'
'Well, I do not press the question of his crying--that I might look over; but his laughing, sir, I must beg that you will take notice of that. Here he is, sir, coming up the hatchway. Mr. Templemore, the captain wishes to speak to you.'
Now, the captain did not wish to speak to him, but, forced upon him as it was by the first lieutenant, he could do no less. So Mr. Templemore touched his hat, and stood before the captain, we regret to say, with such a good-humoured, sly, confiding smirk on his countenance, as at once established the proof of the accusation, and the enormity of the offence.
'So, sir,' said Captain Plumbton, stopping in his perambulation, and squaring his shoulders still more, 'I find that you laugh at the first lieutenant.'
'I, sir?' replied the boy, the smirk expanding into a broad grin.
'Yes; you, sir,' said the first lieutenant, now drawing up to his full height; 'why, you're laughing now, sir.'
'I can't help it, sir--it's not my fault; and I'm sure it's not yours, sir,' added the boy demurely.
'Are you aware, Edward--Mr. Templemore, I mean--of the impropriety of disrespect to your superior officer?'
'I never laughed at Mr. Markitall but once, sir, that I can recollect, and that was when he tumbled over the messenger.'
'And why did you laugh at him then, sir?'
'I always do laugh when any one tumbles down,' replied the lad; 'I can't help it, sir.'
'Then, sir, I suppose you would laugh if you saw me rolling in the lee-scuppers?' said the captain.
'Oh!' replied the boy, no longer able to contain himself, 'I'm sure I should burst myself with laughing--I think I see you now, sir.'
'Do you, indeed! I'm very glad that you do not; though I'm afraid, young gentleman, you stand convicted by your own confession.'
'Yes, sir, for laughing, if that is any crime; but it's not in the Articles of War.'