"Ralph," said the second mate, for it was he, "let me give you a bit of
advice. No matter what is said or done to you, take it and go along.
Hard words mend no bones. I'm giving you straight goods, my lad. You
seem to have the right kind of stuff in you, and all you need is to be
kept in line."

"Mr. Bludson said something of the sort, I think. All right, sir.
I'll keep my mind on that, and I'm obliged to you."

But after the mate had returned to the binnacle Ralph was conscious of
a fall in his spirits. Ocean life might be glorious after a while, but
at present he was apparently under everybody; he knew less than
anybody, and--suddenly he threw his hand to his head.

The roar of the breakers was close at hand now, and as the Curlew began
to roll and pitch in quite a pronounced manner, the boy would have been
alarmed but for the overmastering wretchedness of his feelings. His
whole internal system seemed to be turning upside down.

"It must be!" he groaned, staggering to the side. "I--I'm--sea--sick.
Oh--oh--oh--Lordy!"




CHAPTER XIII.

A Taste of Ship's Discipline.

For an hour or more passing events were as naught to Ralph. Too ill to