"No, sir, I know no Jemmies," replied Captain Bradshaw, surprised at his familiar address. "He's a devilish good fellow, sir, I can tell you. When he gets you on shore, he'll make you dine with him every day, whether or not. He'll take no denial." "Now, that's what I call a damned good fellow: you don't often meet a chap like him," observed the master. Captain Bradshaw felt that he was indirectly called a _chap_, which did not please him. "Mr Bradly, will you take some mutton?" "If you please," said the master. "Roberts, I'll trouble you to carve the saddle of mutton." The first-lieutenant cut out a slice, and taking it on the fork, looked at it suspiciously, and then held his nose over it. "Why, what's the matter?" "Rather high, sir, I'm afraid." "Oh, I smell it here," said Jerry, who entered into the joke. "Indeed! Steward, remove that dish; fortunately, it is not all our dinner. What will you take, Mr Bradly?" "Why, really, I seldom touch anything but the joint. I hate your kickshaws, there's so much pawing about them. I'll wait, if you please; in the meantime, I'll drink a glass of wine with you, Captain Bradshaw." "The devil you will!" was nearly out of the captain's mouth, at this reversal of the order of things; but he swallowed it down, and answered, in a surly tone, "With great pleasure, sir." "Come, doctor, let you and I hob and nob," said the first-lieutenant. They did so, and clicked their glasses together with such force as to break them both, and spill the wine upon the fine damask table-cloth. Jerry could contain himself no longer, but burst out into a roar of laughter, to the astonishment of Captain Bradshaw, who never had seen a midshipman thus conduct himself at his table before: but Jerry could not restrain his inclination for joining with the party, although he had no excuse for _his_ behaviour. "Bring some wine-glasses, steward; and you'll excuse me, gentlemen, but I will thank you not to try the strength of them again," said Captain Bradshaw, with a very majestic air. "Now, Mr Ferguson, I shall be happy to take a glass of wine with you. What will you have? There's sherry and Moselle." "I prefer champagne, if you please," answered the surgeon, who knew that Captain Bradshaw did not produce it except when strangers were at the table. Captain Bradshaw restrained his indignation, and ordered champagne to be brought. "I'll join you," cried the first-lieutenant, shoving in his glass. "Come, younker, let you and I have a glass cosy together," said Jerry to the midshipman, who, frightened at what was going on, moved his chair a little further from Jerry, and then looked first at him and then at the captain. "Oh, pray take a glass with the young gentleman," said Captain Bradshaw, with mock politeness. "Come, steward, none of your half allowance, if you please," continued the impertinent Jerry. "Now, then, my cock, here's _towards_ you, and `better luck still.'"