I was not wrong: they were talking together amidships, just where they could command the companion-way, and as soon as we appeared I saw Smith's features expand into a malicious grin, while Barkins remained perfectly stolid. As we passed to the ladder Smith looked after us wonderingly, and I saw him turn and whisper something, which I felt sure was-- "Taking him to the skipper." For the captain was not in his cabin, but walking up and down the quarter-deck with his hands clasped behind him, and the telescope which had made Mr Reardon so angry under his left arm. As we reached the deck he was going aft, so we followed him, and timed our pace so that when he turned we had only a step or two to take to be facing him. "Yes, Mr Reardon," he said in response to our salute, "anything fresh?" "Yes, sir, something very fresh. Will you listen to what Mr Herrick has to say?" "Certainly," he replied, and he made room for me on his right Mr Reardon placed himself on my right, and as I narrated all I had said before as nearly as I could, they marched me up and down between them, from the binnacle to the end of the quarter-deck, turned and marched me back again. As we approached the rail I could see Barkins and Smith watching us with all their eyes, and as we came in sight again they were still watching intently, evidently in the full belief that I was being, as we should have called it, wigged tremendously. And certainly they had some excuse for this idea, for I had been summoned by the first lieutenant, taken into his cabin, talked to, and then marched off to the captain. It almost looked like being dismissed from the ship in their eyes, and now I could see them scanning my features with intense interest for sight of my breaking down. The captain heard me out, and then listened to Mr Reardon's objections. "Yes," he said quietly at last, "that's very true, Mr Reardon, but we must not let an opportunity slip. I was intending to sail to-morrow for the north; now we will sail which way the junks lead. That will do for the present, Mr Herrick, and I thank you for your diligence in Her Majesty's service." I touched my cap and went to the ladder, and as I descended there were my two messmates coming towards me. Trying to make my face as mobile as possible, I stretched it here and there into wrinkles, and was walking straight along the deck looking the image of despair, when they stopped me. "Serve you right!" said Smith exultantly. "There, be off below, and don't let the men all see what a setting-down you have had." I gave each of them a piteous look, turned as they had suggested, and hurried down to our cabin to have a good laugh all to myself. To my surprise, though, they followed me, Barkins to seat himself on the table, and Smith to lean up against the door. "Well, Skeeter," said the latter, "you've had it pretty hot. Serve you right for being sarcy; you'll behave better next time." "I hope so," I said meekly.