Childlike, for he could not have been three years old at the most, he had already taken to the men, and was playing with the pet lamb, that was making believe to buck him with its head; and indeed every now and then it would knock over the little fellow, but without hurting him, and roll about with him on the deck. "What child is that? And I see you have some live stock--where got you the sheep?" "The child was picked up, lashed to the lamb, Sir Oliver, when the ship went down." "Come on board, and dine with me at three, Mr Brail--you can tell me all about it then--come also, Mr Lanyard, and bring the picaniny with you." We sheered off again; and it was laughable to notice the crowd of heads out of the frigate's ports the instant the little fellow was noticed on our decks. Immediately after this a group of men were sitting in the bows of the felucca with the child amongst them. Lennox came up to me and touched his forehead--"The little fellow told me his name was William Howard, sir; probably you would like to set it down as a clew to find out his friends when we get to England." "A very proper precaution, Lennox, and well thought of; but are you sure that was the name the child answered to." "Quite, sir; if you will step here, sir, you will be satisfied of it." I followed him a pace or two nearer the group playing with the child. "Dogvane," said Lennox--the man answered; "Wilcox," another seaman pricked up his ears, both a good deal surprised at the steward's address, with me at his back--but all this time the boy was tumbling about amongst the men, taking no notice either of Lennox or me. "William Howard," said Lennox. "What you want?" promptly said the child, as he knocked off from his play, and looked steadfastly at the marine. "A good and satisfactory proof," said I; "I will make a note of it, Lennox." Lanyard and I, some time after this, were walking backwards and forwards on the small quarterdeck, talking of I don't remember what, when we perceived a stir amongst the men forward, and an attempt evidently making amongst them to shove old Dogvane aft with some communication to the captain. He appeared reluctant to be thrust forward as spokesman, and waxed very emphatic in his gestures to the group, who were all talking at the same time, and laughing with each other, as they closed round the old quartermaster. "Come, there is more rain than wind in that squall," said I to Donovan, looking towards the group. "What request, think you, is to be made now, Dennis?" "Can't conjecture for the life of me," said he.