"It's because you're first lieutenant that I tell it you, Mr Simple. I never was mistaken, in the main, of an officer's character, when I could look him in the face, and hear him talk for half-an-hour; and I came up on purpose to put you on your guard: for I feel convinced, that towards you he means mischief. What does he mean by having the greasy-faced sergeant of marines in his cabin for half-an-hour every morning? His reports as master-of-arms ought to come through you, as first lieutenant; but he means him as a spy upon all, and upon you in particular. The fellow has began to give himself airs already, and speaks to the young gentlemen as if they were beneath him. I thought you might not know it, Mr Simple, so I thought it right to tell you." "I am much obliged to you, Swinburne, for your good wishes; but I can do my duty, and why should I fear anything?" "A man may do his duty, Mr Simple; but if a captain is determined to ruin him, he has the power. I have been longer in the service than you have, and have been wide awake: only be careful of one thing Mr Simple; I beg your pardon for being so free, but in no case lose your temper." "No fear of that, Swinburne," replied I. "It's very easy to say `no fear of that,' Mr Simple: but recollect you have not yet had your temper tried as some officers have. You have always been treated like a gentleman; but should you find yourself treated otherwise, you have too good blood in your veins not to speak--I am sure of that. I've seen officers insulted and irritated, till no angel could put up with the treatment--and then for an unguarded word, which they would have been _swabs_ not to have made use of, sent out of the service to the devil." "But you forget, Swinburne, that the articles of war are made for the captain as well as for everybody else in the ship." "I know that; but still, at court-martials captains make a great distinction between what a superior says to an inferior, and what an inferior says to a superior." "True," replied I, quoting Shakespeare:-- "`That's in the captain but a choleric word, Which in the soldier is rank blasphemy.'" "Exactly my meaning--I rather think," said Swinburne, "if a captain calls you no gentleman, you mustn't say the same to him." "Certainly not," replied I; "but I can demand a court-martial." "Yes; and it will be granted; but what do you gain by that? It's like beating against a heavy gale and a lee tide--thousand to one if you fetch your port; and if you do, your vessel is strained to pieces, sails worn as thin as a newspaper, and rigging chafed half through, wanting fresh serving: no orders for a refit, and laid up in ordinary for the rest of your life. No, no, Mr Simple; the best plan is to grin and bear it, and keep a sharp look-out; for depend upon it, Mr Simple, in the best ship's company in the world, a spy captain will always find spy followers."