Presently Mr. Zerk stood in the gangway looking at us, he bulked big, and smoked a strong cigar. This was the first time he had ever intruded upon our meals during our stay in port. "Where's the second mate?" he asked pleasantly. Most of us looked around anxiously, half expecting the old second mate would bob up from some dark corner. "Come on, where is he?" The mate was evidently enjoying his little game. "Where is he now?" came the question again, but in a sharp tone such as we usually associated with coming trouble. "Come on, where is he?" Suddenly he started to laugh; of course we all joined him in a sort of nervous chorus. "Ho, there he is hiding behind the kid! Our new second mate, Mr. Morstad! _Well, well, well!_" and this is how Tommy, most unexpected of candidates, became Mr. Morstad, second mate of the ship _A. J. Fuller_. "Lay aft," said the mate, as he turned to go, "the steward has your dinner ready, and don't forget to bring your napkin." Tommy was choking with astonishment, speechless, and miserable. None of us laughed at the last cruel thrust; in fact we felt sorry for Tommy, but as soon as we saw him stop eating the fo'c'sle grub, with the quick perception that better things awaited him aft, a lively discussion arose. "Call him _Mr. Morstad_!" thundered Australia. "I won't have no disrespect here just because _Mr. Morstad_ ain't had the bringin' up you an' me has. No, sir, I have some respect for the officers of this ship, I have." There was a lot more in a similar vein. Volunteers offered to carry his chest aft, and did every thing but lift it, poor Tommy having to drag it along the deck until he got to the waist, when Chips came out of his den and helped him the rest of the way. It was dark then, and the gong for the second cabin table no doubt compensated Tommy for all the tortures of his departure. "I'm damn glad he ain't in my watch," said Brenden, and all of us to port felt the same way. Before Tommy had time to adjust himself to his new condition, the kicking started to starboard. In this particular episode of the voyage Mr. Zerk departed as far from the traditions of the sea as it was possible for him to go. The next morning, as we got under way to sea, Captain Nichols made it a point to show public respect to the new second officer. It was "Mr. Morstad, this," and "How do you head, _sir_?" all of which pleased Tom immensely, and was the right and proper thing to do. CHAPTER XXIII HOMEWARD BOUND And we're off to Mother Carey (Walk her down to Mother Carey!) Oh, we're bound for Mother Carey where she feeds her chicks at sea! _Kipling._