"That's right," he ses, looking at it; "that's just wot I wanted."

"It's as full as it can be," ses old Burge. "I done it for you myself.
'Ave you got a ship?"

"I 'ave," ses Dixon. "A jolly good ship. No more hardships for me this
time. I've got a berth as captain."

"Wot?" ses 'is wife. "Captain? You!"

"Yes," ses Dixon, smiling at her. "You can sail with me if you like."

"Thankee," ses Mrs. Dixon, "I'm quite comfortable where I am."

"Do you mean to say you've got a master's berth?" ses Charlie, staring at
'im.

"I do," ses Dixon; "master and owner."

Charlie coughed. "Wot's the name of the ship?" he asks, winking at the
others.

"The BLUE LION," ses Dixon, in a voice that made 'em all start. "I'm
shipping a new crew and I pay off the old one to-night. You first, my
lad."

"Pay off," ses Charlie, leaning back in 'is chair and staring at 'im in a
puzzled way. "Blue Lion?"

"Yes," ses Dixon, in the same loud voice. "When I came 'ome the other