Until this time I had positively refused to do as Phil desired in the way of asking my cousin, Lieutenant McKnight, to use his influence with Lieutenant Downes to the end that we might be considered as members of his fleet; but on this morning, when it seemed positive there would be hot work in plenty before night, I plucked up sufficient courage, as my kinsman was standing on the break of the quarter, to approach him. It was the first time since we left port that I had ventured so far as to speak to an officer without first being accosted, and Stephen--I mean Lieutenant McKnight--looked surprised, as indeed he had good cause to be, since it is not customary for boys aboard a man-of-war to address familiarly those who are so far above them in station. However, it so chanced that the lieutenant was in good humor, as he should have been, with so many possible prizes in sight, and kindly answered my salute by asking what I would have. Had he been ashore and had I never sailed under his command, I should have accosted him by the name of Stephen, and made known my wants boldly; but now I stuttered and stammered like a simple, thus showing what a difference a uniform and a commission can make. After a time, however, I managed to say, he kindly encouraging me to "speak up man fashion":-- "There's like to be much work for all hands before night, sir, and Philip Robbins and I are sore at heart because of never having a chance to prove that we can do more than falls to the lot of boys aboard ship." "So!" the lieutenant said with a laugh. "You are growing down-hearted because there isn't danger enough?" "It's not exactly that, sir; but when danger does come, we want our full share of it." "Then you have no cause for complaint, lad. A round shot is as likely to take you off as me; aboard ship we all run the same chances." "But those who are under Lieutenant Downes when his fleet is called away are likely to see more service and have better opportunities for earning advancement," I stammered, whereat he laughed heartily, thus putting me considerably more at my ease. "You are eager to try your hand at close work?" he said, rather than asked; and I fancied he was not displeased because I had ventured to approach him on such an errand. "That is what we most desire, sir," I replied. "If you could only persuade Lieutenant Downes to take us with him when next the boats are called away, I would do anything I could to repay you when we get ashore." "But what would my uncle, your father, say when I saw him? Do you think he is as eager that his son should be shot as you are?" "We're not counting on that part of it, sir. All who come to close quarters with an enemy are not shot, else you would never be standing on this quarter-deck, wearing the uniform of a lieutenant." He smiled at this bold speech of mine, whereat I plucked up courage sufficient to continue by saying:--