"Then good-by. We're the _Asia_, and we'll have a good joke on you." The captain of the _Umbria_ muttered some improper words, and gave the order to go ahead. Soon the mighty machinery began to creak and groan, and the good ship was speedily flying across the ocean at the rate of sixteen knots. The vessels parted, their lights grew dim in the distance, and the captain had full leisure to vent his displeasure upon those who deserved it. He sought the quartermaster, who was still busy in his cabin. "Why did you send me the wrong signals?" he demanded. "I pointed to the locker, sir, and told the boy to help himself. He must have mistaken the lights." "Yes, and a nice laughingstock he has made of us." "What did you send up, sir?" "In distress and short of provisions, when we were only six hours from port." The quartermaster with difficulty repressed a smile. "Who burned the lights?" he inquired. "The third officer, and it's my opinion that none of the men on board this boat know their business," quoth the captain. With this severe shot he went on deck again, and sent the boatswain to find out Tommy. "When you've got him," he added, "give him the taste of a rope's-end, to make him smarter in future." Luckily for Tommy, the boatswain was unable to find him, as he had, on seeing that something was wrong, gone below and got into his berth. But again he had made a mistake, for in the darkness he had entered the purser's cabin, and got into his bed. The purser had been playing a game of whist in the smoking room and drinking some hot whisky, which, with the fatigue of the day, consequent on leaving port, made him feel unusually sleepy. Kicking off his boots, he turned into his bunk without looking inside, and was greatly surprised to find it occupied. "Oh! Charley," exclaimed Tommy, "ain't you heavy. Get off me, or you'll have me smothered, sure." The purser sprang out again and took one look at the bold intruder. "You young cub!" he cried, "come out of that double-quick, or I'll skin you alive!" "Ain't it Charley?" "No, it's me. How dare you have the cheek to turn into my bunk? Clear out!" Tommy made a snatch for his clothes, and got out. "Beg pardon, sir, but where do I sleep?" he asked. "Hang me if I know, and I'm blessed if I care," replied the purser. "Take your hook out of this, youngster." Tommy attempted to run, but a well-directed kick from the purser sent him on his hands and knees, when the door was banged behind him. "Bounced!" he heard a voice say close to him. "That's sure as I'm alive, and badly bounced, too. Why, Charley, is that you?" "It is. What's up?" "I'm down," replied Tommy. "The fact is, I got into the wrong cabin, and was yanked out." "You're always making mistakes. It's rough on you, I'll admit, but it serves you right." They turned in after this, and the next day very little was seen of Tommy, as the weather was very rough, and he was so seasick he kept in his berth.