My face, no doubt, expressed the thoughts that passed through my mind; and, as I could see from a mirror opposite me, I appeared, as father used to say, "like a cat looking nine ways for Sunday!" The captain, though, evidently wished to set me at my ease. "Never mind, my boy," he said reassuringly. "We'll let bygones be bygones; and, as you have so nobly condoned the offence of fighting with your shipmate by subsequently saving his life, I feel more inclined to reward than punish you. Have you been allowed ashore yet to see your parents since you joined?" "No, sir," I replied. "I didn't have my uniform rig last Sunday, sir." "Well, then, my boy, you may go and see them this afternoon if you like, when you've finished your dinner. I will give you leave till Eight Bells." So saying, he scribbled on a piece of paper and handed it to me. This was a pass, permitting me to be absent from the ship until the time specified on it. Noticing, as I thanked him for his kindness, that I did not appear perfectly satisfied, he glanced at me scrutinisingly. His eye was like a gimlet, and seemed to penetrate my inmost thoughts; for, I declare, he guessed the feeling that was uppermost in my mind. "Would you like, my lad," he said, smiling again, "to take a chum with you ashore?" "Why, sir," I exclaimed, "that was the very thing I was thinking of!" "Ha!" said he, "I fancied that was what was on your mind. Who is your chum?" "Mick Donovan, sir," I replied; "he's an Irish lad who joined the ship the same time as me." "All right; Mick Donovan shall go with you," said he. "Hand me back your pass." This I did; whereupon he bracketed Mick's name with mine and returned me the paper. "You may go now," he said kindly, seeing the rush of joy that must have been reflected on my face, filling, as it did, my heart, though I hesitated to leave without his permission, albeit anxious to communicate the good news to Mick. "Stop, Tom, here's half-a-crown for you and your chum to enjoy yourselves with." He put the money into my hand as he spoke, extracting it from his pocket for the purpose; and, I recollect, it was a nice new bright half-crown piece, which, though it was `melted' very soon, will never pass out of my remembrance as quickly as it did from my possession! Of course I thanked him before leaving; and, in going below, I halted at the police office, to tell the master-at-arms the result of my interview with our chief, whereat he appeared much satisfied, though he cautioned me to continue to be a good boy and not outstay my leave.