Joey stared; he did not know that "soft tommy" meant loaves of bread, or that "soldiers" was the term for red-herrings. He only thought that the boat must be very full. "Now, you see that little Peter was her right-hand man, for she can't read and write. Can you? but of course you can." "Yes, I can," replied Joey. "Well, little Peter was holding on by the painter against a hard sea, but his strength was not equal to it, and so when a swell took the boat he was pulled right overboard, and he was drowned." "Was the painter drowned too?" inquired Joey. "Ha! ha! that's capital; why, the painter is a rope. Now, the old woman has been dreadfully put out, and does nothing but cry about little Peter, and not being able to keep her accounts. Now, you look very like him, and I think it very likely the old woman would take you in his place, if I went and talked her over; that's better than going to sea, for at all events you sleep dry and sound on shore every night, even if you do have a wet jacket sometimes. What d'ye think?" "I think you are very kind; and I should be glad to take the place." "Well, she's a good old soul, and has a warm heart, and trusts them who have no money; too much, I'm afraid, for she loses a great deal. So now I'll go and speak to her, for she'll be alongside of us when I go on board; and where shall I find you when I come on shore in the evening?" "Wherever you say, I will be." "Well, then, meet me here at nine o'clock; that will make all certain. Come, I must be off now. I'll pay for the breakfast." "I have money, I thank you," replied Joey. "Then keep it, for it's more than I can do; and what's your name?" "Joey." "Well then, Joey, my hearty, if I get you this berth, when we come in, and I am short, you must let me go on tick till I can pay." "What's tick?" "You'll soon find out what tick is, after you have been a week in the bumboat," replied the lad, laughing. "Nine o'clock, my hearty; good-bye." So saying, the young sailor caught up his new clothes, and hastened down to the beach. The room was crowded with seamen and women, but they were too busy talking and laughing to pay any attention to Joey and his comrade. Our little hero sat some little time at the table after his new acquaintance had left, and then walked out into the streets, telling the people of the house that he was coming back again, and requesting them to take care of his bundle. "You'll find it here, my little fellow, all right when you ask for it," said the woman at the bar, who took it inside and put it away under the counter.