"'I'll try it again, any how,' said Tom, going up to the first lieutenant. 'Hard case to lose our boat and our bread, sir,' said Tom, touching his hat. "The first lieutenant, now that the marines and afterguard were at a regular stamp and go, had, unfortunately, more leisure to attend to us. He looked at us earnestly, and walked aft to see if the wherry was yet in sight. At that moment up came the master's-mate who had not yet reported himself to the first lieutenant. "'Tom,' said I, 'there's a wherry close to; let us get into it, and go after our boat ourselves.' "'Wait one moment to see if they will help us—and get our money, at all events,' replied Tom; and we walked aft. "'Come on board, sir,' said the master's mate, touching his hat with humility. "'You've broke your leave, sir,' replied the first lieutenant, 'and now I've to send a boat to pick up the wherry through your carelessness.' "'If you please, they are two very fine young men,' observed the mate. 'Make capital foretop-men. Boat's not worth sending for, sir.' "This hint, given by the mate to the first lieutenant, to regain his favour, was not lost. 'Who are you, my lads?' said the first lieutenant to us. "'Watermen, sir.' "'Watermen, hey! was that your own boat?' "'No, sir,' replied I, 'it belonged to the man that I serve with.' "'Oh! not your own boat? Are you an apprentice then?' "Yes, sir, both apprentices.' "'Show me your indentures.' "'We don't carry them about with us.' "'Then how am I to know that you are apprentices?' "'We can prove it, sir, if you wish it.' "'I do wish it; at all events, the captain will wish it.' "'Will you please to send for the boat, sir? she's almost out of sight.' "'No, my lads, I can't find king's boats for such service.' "'Then, we had better go ourselves, Tom,' said I, and we went forward to call the waterman who was lying on his oars close to the frigate. "'Stop—stop—not so fast. Where are you going, my lads?' "'To pick up our boat, sir.' "'Without my leave, hey!' "'We don't belong to the frigate, sir.' "'No; but I think it very likely that you will, for you have no protections.' "'We can send for them and have them down by to-morrow morning.' "'Well, you may do so, if you please, my lads; you cannot expect me to believe every thing that is told me. Now, for instance, how long have you to serve, my lad?' said he, addressing Tom. "'My time is up to-morrow, sir.' "'Up to-morrow. Why, then, I shall detain you until to-morrow, and then I shall press you.' "'If you detain me now, sir, I am pressed to-day.' "'Oh no! you are only detained until you prove your apprenticeship, that's all.'