‘Just for’ards of the bulkhead under the fo’c’sle.’ ‘It’s a store-room,’ said Captain Sutherland. ‘Has it been searched?’ exclaimed the doctor. ‘I dunno what ye mean by searched,’ answered the boatswain sullenly, resenting as a merchant seaman the imperious manner of the Royal Naval surgeon. ‘Captain,’ cried the doctor. ‘You know what I mean; explain to this man.’ ‘Have you overhauled the store-room, Balls, for others of this fellow’s pattern?’ said the captain. ‘No, sir.’ ‘Then go with the sergeant of the guard,’ said the doctor; ‘examine every nook and corner, and make your report.’ ‘Ay, ay, sir,’ answered the boatswain very sulkily again, and swinging round on his heels he quitted the poop with a sullen walk eloquent of malediction. The doctor drew back as if he would admit it was now the commander’s right to ask questions. Captain Barrett gazed at me strenuously through his eye-glass. His intent regard made me feel very uneasy. ‘What’s your name?’ said Captain Sutherland. ‘Simon Marlowe, sir.’ ‘What are you?’ I hung my head. ‘No need,’ he exclaimed, ‘to ask if you were ever at sea; your hands are like a woman’s.’ ‘He’s a deuced good-looking chap, doctor,’ said Captain Barrett in another aside. ‘Plump as a partridge, by the great horn spoon! What runs a chap to fat down in your hold, captain?’ ‘What have you come to sea for?’ said the captain, speaking with a severity whose forced note my ear could not miss. Indeed, he seemed to find a sort of pleasure in looking at me. ‘I want to get to some friends in Tasmania, sir,’ I answered. ‘What names?’ I was ready for him; for weeks I had been rehearsing too diligently the part I was now playing not to be ready. ‘Satchell, sir.’ ‘Where do they live?’ ‘At Hobart Town.’ ‘What’s their address, boy?’ ‘I don’t know, sir. I’ll find out when I arrive.’ The doctor grinned gravely. ‘“Arrive!”’ cried the captain. ‘How do you know I’ll allow you to arrive, as you call it? “Arrive,” you monkey! You’ve committed a felony; you’ve broken into private premises; for all I can tell, you may have broached the cargo of the ship. There are men in that prison down there,’ said he, pointing to the main-hatch, ‘who are being transported for life for smaller crimes.’ ‘I’m sorry, sir. I would do nothing wrong. I will gladly pay for my passage with my labour if you will give me work--such work as I can do.’ The doctor put his hand on the commander’s arm and whispered in his ear. Captain Barrett exclaimed: ‘If you’re satisfied with the lad’s account of himself, Captain Sutherland, he shall wait upon me, if you like.’ ‘What work have you for two servants?’ exclaimed the doctor. ‘I like his pluck, d’ye know,’ answered Captain Barrett, ‘and just now he happens to be rather friendless, Ellice.’ The doctor looked annoyed and walked to the rail. ‘Where do you come from?’ asked the commander. ‘London, sir.’ ‘Who are your people?’ Again I hung my head.