“Through our friend, a naval cadet like ourselves, Mr. Max Raymond, sir. Do not be vexed with him for telling us. It has excited our admiration and desire to make your acquaintance.”
“Ah, Master Max, so you have been letting these young gentlemen into my secrets?” Mr. Lilburn said, turning toward Max in pretended wrath.
“Yes, sir,” replied Max in cheerful tones, “and the more you show them of your skill in that line the better they will be pleased.”
Just then Max’s dog Prince joined the group, wagging his tail and lifting joyful eyes to his young master’s face.
“Ah, how d’ye do, Prince?” said Max, stroking and patting him. “Are you glad to see me here again?”
“Yes, sir, indeed I am,” were the words that seemed to come in reply from the dog’s lips; “and I wish you’d go back with us when we steam away in this vessel for home.”
“Why, Prince, you talk well indeed for a dog,” laughed Hunt, stroking and patting Prince’s head.
At that instant there was a frightened cry, “Oh, sic’ a fall as I shall hae!” followed instantly by a sound as of the plunge of a heavy body from the side of the vessel into the water.
All started to their feet, several of the men and boys shouting in tones of alarm, “A man overboard!” and Captain Raymond was about to issue an order for the launching of a boat, when a glance at Mr. Lilburn deterred him.
“No occasion, captain,” laughed the old gentleman; “you could never find that poor unfortunate fellow.”
“No, I presume not,” returned the captain, echoing the laugh as he and the others reseated themselves.
“Huh! that’s an old trick o’ yours, old feller,” cried the very same voice that had been heard behind Hunt’s chair. “If I couldn’t invent suthin’ new I’d give up the business.”
“So I think I shall—for to-night, at least,” returned Cousin Ronald, but in a disguised voice that seemed to come from a distance.
Then Walter went to his side and whispered in his ear.
Mr. Lilburn smiled and seemed to assent, but at that instant the call to the supper-table put an end to the sport for the time.
There was some of the same sort of diversion at the table, however, a roast fowl resenting, with a loud squawk, the captain’s attempt to carve it; Prince asking audibly for a share when the plates were filled, and the voice that had been heard talking on deck to the “young fellers in blue” preferring the same request.