Upon the party going on deck, there were the crew drawn up, quite as smart as men-o'-war's men, and all looking as eager as schoolboys to learn the meaning of their summons. "'Tention!" said the captain; and, to use the old saying, the dropping of a pin could have been heard. "This gentleman, Sir John Meadows, Bart., is going to buy the _Silver Star_." "Hurrah!" shouted a man. "Steady there!" cried the captain sternly. "He means to sail right away east, through the Canal, and along the islands, to stop here and there where he likes--two or three years' cruise--and he wants to know if you will sign articles to go with him, and do your duty like men." There was a dead silence, and as the men began directly after to whisper together, Jack, who but a minute before had felt in his misery and despair that he would give anything to hear the men refuse, now, by a strange perversity of feeling, grew indignant with them for seeming to hesitate about doing their duty to his father. "Well, my lads, what is it?" said the captain sternly. "What are you whispering about? Can't you give a straightforward yes or no?" There was another whispering, and the words "You speak", "No, you," came plainly to Jack's ears, followed by one man shouting-- "We want to know, sir, who's to be in command?" "Why, I am, my lads, of course." "Hooray!" came in a roar; and then--"All of us--yes, sir, we'll go," and another cheer. "There's your answer, sir," said the captain; and then turning to the men--"Thankye, my lads, thankye." "Yes, that's my answer," said Sir John, "and an endorsement of my feeling that I am doing right." "And thank you, sir," said the captain warmly. "We'll do our duty by you, never fear. Perhaps you'll say a word to Mr Bartlett, sir," he whispered. "Good man and true, and a thorough sailor." "You will, I hope, keep your post, Mr Bartlett," said Sir John, turning to him. "Oh yes, Sir John," said the mate; "I'm obliged to. Captain Bradleigh's kind enough to say I am his right hand." "And I can't go without that, can I, young gentleman?" Jack, who was feeling unduly thrilled and excited by the novel scene, was chilled again, and he only muttered something ungraciously. "Mr Bartlett will join us at dinner, I hope," said Sir John; and this being promised, the men were ordered forward, the boat was manned, and, as the whole crew was watching every movement on the part of the visitors, Jack shook hands with captain and mate, and stepped down a little more courageously into the gig, but turned dizzy as he dropped into his seat. The next minute it was pushed off, and the thrill of excitement ran through the lad again, as the crew suddenly sprang to the shrouds of the three masts, to stand there, holding on by one hand, waving their straw hats and cheering with all their might. "Jump up, Jack, and give them a cheer back," cried the doctor. There is something wonderful about a sharp order suddenly given.