Jack would certainly have gone with him, if his attentive shipmates had not grasped the other end of the line by which he had secured himself. Another sea rolled over them before they could recover their perpendicular positions; but Jack held on to the leg of the officer, and the men hauled them both up to the life-line. “Your name?” demanded the lieutenant, when he had regained his feet. “Somers, sir.” “Well, Somers, this is a bad time to plank the deck,” he added with a smile, as he emptied the salt water from his mouth. “Very bad, sir.” “You shall hear from me again, Somers,” added the officer as he walked aft. After the crew of the old steamer had endured more than we have room to describe, the gale broke; and, favored with better weather, the engine was repaired, and she proceeded on her voyage, very much to the satisfaction of those who had lost all hope of ever reaching the land. The next day, while the ship was rolling heavily through the sea which had not yet subsided, Jack, who had just been relieved from duty at the pumps, was accosted by Mr. Waldron, the second-lieutenant, whom he had saved from an ocean-grave. “Somers, you saved my life yesterday: what can I do for you?” said he. “Thank you, sir: I’m not in want of anything just now,” replied Jack, touching his cap. “Your time is out, I suppose?” “Yes, sir.” “Do you quit the navy?” “No, sir.” “Well, then, my lad, you shall have a better berth than you had before. I think I have influence enough to procure a good rating.” “Thank you, sir,” replied Jack. “You look as though you would make a good topman. What do you say to being captain of the main-top?” “Thank you, sir: I have been rated as cockswain of the captain’s gig and as a quartermaster.” “Is that so? Then I may not be able to do anything better in that direction.” Jack thought it would be a good joke to show him his midshipman’s warrant at this point of the conversation; and accordingly he produced the precious document. “What are you doing forward with this paper in your pocket?” asked the astonished lieutenant. “I had no uniform, sir, and was in no condition to appear as an officer.” “You shall swing your hammock in the steerage for the rest of the voyage, at least. If you are a brother-officer, I need not think of rewarding you,” laughed Mr. Waldron. “I hope not, sir.” Jack was immediately presented to the captain, who ordered him to carry his bag into the steerage, greatly to the astonishment of his late companions, who had no suspicion that they had messed with so distinguished an individual as a midshipman. The steamer rolled along on her voyage, and at last arrived at New York. Jack lost no time in proceeding to Boston, though not till he had arranged for a meeting with Mr. Waldron at some future time; for the grateful officer insisted upon continuing the acquaintance so fortunately begun. It was about sunset when the sailor-boy reached Pinchbrook.