"Admiral's sweep, by Jove! Why, he thinks himself quite a little toff. Wonder who the devil he is?"
"Couldn't say, I'm sure. May as well have sideboys, anyhow."
And down the steps the side-boys rattled and handed Kep the pipe-clayed ropes.
He was half-way up, when the man hailed, "Am I to wait, sir?"
The side-boys were caught on the giggle and Kep frowned at them.
He saluted the quarter-deck as if to the manner born.
"What--er--can I do you for, youngster?" This from the midshipman of the after watch.
"I want to see the commander or Captain."
"Neither on board. Here comes the second lieutenant.
"Hullo, my lad"--he wasn't much more than a lad himself--"have you friends on board?"
"Soon will have, I hope, sir. I want to join the service, and this ship. Rather like the looks of her."
The middies pulled their handkerchiefs out, and seemed strangely convulsed. The officer raised his eye-brows, but appeared much amused.
"Come down to the ward-room, my boy," he said. "There is really nobody on board, yet. Sit down. You are smartly dressed, is your father a gentleman?"
"Yes, and all my forefathers, and I'm a gentleman myself."
"Undoubtedly, but you've run away from home, haven't you? What is your father's name?"
"Not over anxious to divulge, sir," replied Kep.
"Well, Master Bowser, you say you are desirous of doing us the honour of sailing with us. May I presume to ask in what capacity?"
"You are making fun of me, poking fun at me," he cried, now furiously red in the face.
"Sit down, you spitfire, and don't be a little fool, else, but there! now calm yourself and answer my question. What use do you think you'd be on H.M.S. _Breezy_?"
"Oh, I'm so willing, sir! I can be anything, or do anything. Could take charge of a watch or my turn at the wheel, or help the cook, or clean the boots. I can reef and steer, and box the compass, splice the main-brace, or work out the reckoning or----"
"Suppose, now, our captain were taken ill?"
"Oh, sir. I could soon learn to do the simple duties of a Naval Captain."
"Is there any other capacity in which you could serve?"
"Oh yes, I can speak six or seven languages fluently, and I could play on this little pipe while the sailor men danced."
The lieutentant was more amused than ever. He wanted a little fun, anyhow.