he had a good flow of conversation, and dispensed with ceremony in his
cabin, he was apt to be rather short on deck. However, he told little
Tadcaster he was fortunate; they had a good start, and, if the wind
held, might hope to be clear of the Channel in twenty-four hours. "You
will see Eddystone lighthouse about four bells," said he.

"Shall we go out of sight of land altogether?" inquired his lordship.

"Of course we shall, and the sooner the better." He then explained to
the novice that the only danger to a good ship was from the land.

While Tadcaster was digesting this paradox, Captain Hamilton proceeded
to descant on the beauties of blue water and its fine medicinal
qualities, which, he said, were particularly suited to young gentlemen
with bilious stomachs, but presently, catching sight of Lieutenant
Fitzroy standing apart, but with the manner of a lieutenant not there by
accident, he stopped, and said, civilly but smartly, "Well, sir?"

Fitzroy came forward directly, saluted, and said he had orders from the
first lieutenant to show Lord Tadcaster the berths. His lordship must be
good enough to choose, because the doctor--couldn't.

"Why not?"

"Brought to, sir--for the present--by--well, by grief."

"Brought to by grief! Who the deuce is grief? No riddles on the
quarter-deck, if you please, sir."

"Oh no, sir. I assure you he is awfully cut up; and he is having his cry