"A little prick under the ribs in a quiet way. The wanderings and jerkings of the angry hand will happen. You understand me?" "Too well, I am afraid, sir. I have never yet shed man's blood--I never will. Perhaps, sir, you would not depend upon my virtue for this--you may upon my cowardice. I tremble--I sicken at the sight of blood. I have endeavoured to win your confidence by candour--I have not succeeded. May I be permitted to wish you a good day?" "Stop, Daunton; this is a singular encounter, and a still more singular conference. As an old schoolfellow, you ask me to give you my protection. The protection of a reefer is, in itself, something laughable; and then, as an inducement, you confess to me that you are a villain, only in guilt just short of murder. Perhaps, by this bravado sort of confession, you have endeavoured to give me a worse impression of your character than it really deserves, that you might give me the better opinion of your sincerity. Is it not so?" "In a great measure, it is." "I thought so. Now let me tell you, Daunton, that that very circumstance makes me afraid of you. But, still, I will not cast aside the appeal of an old schoolfellow. What can I do for you?" "Give me the protection afforded me by a man-of-war, by taking me as your servant." "Utterly impossible! I can press you directly, or give the hint to any of the many men-of-war here to do so. But the rules of the service do not permit a midshipman to have a separate servant. Do you wish to enter?" "Only on board of your ship, and with the privilege of waiting upon you, and being constantly near your person." "Thank you; but what prevents my impressing you, even as you stand there?" "These very ample protections." And he produced them. "Yes! I see that you are well provided. But why give up your good berth on board the _London_?" "Mr Rattlin, I have my reasons. Permit them, as yet, to remain secret. There is no guilt attached to them. May I sail with you in the capacity of your servant?" "I have told you before that you cannot be my servant solely; you must be the servant of the midshipmen's berth." "Yes, with all my heart, provided that you pledge me your honour that I shall never be put to any other duty." I was astonished at this perseverance, and very honestly told him all the miseries of the situation for which he seemed so ambitious. They did not shake his resolution. I then left him, and spoke to Mr Farmer. "Let the fool enter," was the laconic reply. "But he will not enter but on the conditions I have mentioned, and his protections are too good to be violated." "Then I authorise you to make them. We are short of men."