I made no answer; and, apparently, for some minutes, he forgot all about me, and busied himself in a large chart which covered the table. At last he looked up; and then, after a second or two spent in recalling me to his recollection, said, "Oh, you 're the lad I took up last night; very true. I wanted to speak with you. What can you do, besides what I have seen; for I trust surgery is an art we shall seldom find use for,--can you cook?" I was ashamed to say that I could boil potatoes and fry rashers, which were all my culinary gifts, and so I replied that "I could not." "Have you never been in any service, or any kind of employment?" "Never, sir." "Always a vagabond?" "Always, sir." "Well, certes, I have the luck of it!" said he, with one of his low laughs. "It is, perhaps, all the better. Come, my boy, it does not seem quite clear to me what we can make of you; we have no time, nor, indeed, any patience, for making sailors of striplings,--we always prefer the ready-made article; but you must pick up what you can, keep your watches when on board, and when we go ashore anywhere, you shall be my scout; therefore don't throw away your old rags, but be ready to resume them when wanted,--you hear?" "Yes, sir." "So far! Now, the next thing is,--and it is right you should know it,--though I keep a yacht for my pleasure and amusement, I sometimes indulge myself in a little smuggling,--which is also a pleasure and amusement; and, therefore, my people are liable, if detected, to be sentenced to a smart term of imprisonment,--not that this has yet happened to any of them, but it may, you know; so it is only fair to warn you." "I 'll take my chance with the rest, sir." "Well said, boy! There are other little ventures, too, I sometimes make; but you 'd not understand them, so we need not refer to them. Now, as to the third point,--discipline. So long as you are on board, I expect obedience in everything; that you agree with your messmates, and never tell a lie. On shore, you may cut each other's throats to your heart's content. Remember, then; the lesson is easy enough: if you quarrel with your comrades, I 'll flog you; if you ever deceive me by an untruth, I'll blow your brains out!" The voice in which he spoke these last few words grew harsher and louder, and at the end it became almost a shout of angry denunciation. "For your private governance, I may say, you'll find it wise to be good friends with Halkett, and, if you can, with Jarasch. Go now; I 've nothing more to say." I was about to retire, when he called me back. "Stay! you've said nothing to me, nor have I to you, about your wages." "I want none, sir. It is enough for me if I am provided in all money could buy for me." "No deceit, sir! No trickery with _me!_" cried he, fiercely, and he glared savagely at me.