Way enough, indeed! there was a little too much way for me. When I came to the surface of the water, I found myself several yards from the ladder, and at once struck out for it. There was a great deal of noise and shouting, and a sailor held towards me the sharp end of a boathook; but I had no intention of being lugged out as if I were a pair of canvas trowsers, and, calling to the sailor to keep his pole to himself--did he want to knock my eye out?--I swam to the ladder and ascended. Thus then I joined the service, and, having entered at the foot of the ladder, I trust some day to find myself at the top of it. And, talking of joining the service, I here beg to repudiate, as an utter fabrication, the anecdote--generally received as authentic in the service--of the Scotch doctor, who, going to report himself for the first time on board of the `Victory,' knocked at the door, and inquired (at a marine, I think), "Is this the Royal Nauvy?--'cause I'm come till jine." The story bears "fib" on the face of it, for there is not a Scottish schoolboy but knows that one ship does not make a navy, any more than one swallow does a summer. But, dear intending candidate, if you wish to do the right thing, array yourself quietly in frock-coat, cap--not cocked hat, remember--and sword, and go on board your ship in any boat you please, only keep out of the way of gigs. When you arrive on board, don't be expecting to see the admiral, because you'll be disappointed; but ask a sailor or marine to point you out the midshipman of the watch, and request the latter to show you the commander. Make this request civilly, mind you; do not pull his ear, because, if big and hirsute, he might beat you, which would be a bad beginning. When you meet the commander, don't rush up and shake him by the hand, and begin talking about the weather; walk respectfully up to him, and lift your cap as you would to a lady; upon which he will hurriedly point to his nose with his forefinger, by way of returning the salute, while at the same time you say-- "_Come_ on board, sir--to _join_, sir." It is the custom of the Service to make this remark in a firm, bold, decided tone, placing the emphasis on the "_come_" to show clearly that you _did come_, and that no one kicked, or dragged, or otherwise brought you on board against your will. The proper intonation of the remark may be learned from any polite waiter at a hotel, when he tells you, "Dinner's ready, sir, please;" or it may be heard in the "Now then, gents," of the railway guard of the period.