“One cannot keep these fellows to their duty by preaching,” returned the irregular chief, when the other had done.  “We have no ’Execution Dock for our delinquents, no ‘yellow flag’ for fleets to gaze at, no grave and wise-looking courts to thumb a book or two, and end by saying, ’Hang him.’—­The rascals knew my eye was off them.  Once before, they turned my vessel into a living evidence of that passage in the Testament which teaches humility to all, by telling us, ’that the last shall be first, and the first last.’  I found a dozen roundabouts drinking and making free with the liquors of the cabin, and all the officers prisoners forward—­a state of things, as you will allow, a little subversive of decency as well as decorum!”

“I am amazed you should have succeeded in restoring discipline!”

“I got among them single-handed, and with no other aid than a boat from the shore; but I ask no more than a place for my foot, and room for an arm, to keep a thousand such spirits in order.  Now they know me, it is rare we misunderstand each other.”

“You must have punished severely!”

“There was justice done.—­Mr Wilder, I fear you find our service a little irregular; but a month of experience will put you on a level with us, and remove all danger of such another scene.”  As the Rover spoke, he faced his recruit, with a countenance that endeavoured to be cheerful, but whose gaiety could force itself no further than a frightful smile.  “Come,” he quickly added, “this time, I set the mischief afoot myself; and, as you see we are completely masters, we may afford to be lenient.  Besides,” he continued, glancing his eyes towards the place where Mrs Wyllys and Gertrude still remained in deep suspense awaiting his decision, “it may be well to consult the sex of our guests at such a moment.”

Then, leaving his subordinate, the Rover advanced to the centre of the quarter-deck, whither he immediately summoned the principal offenders.  The men listened to his rebukes, which were not altogether free from admonitory warnings of what might be the consequences of a similar transgression, like creatures who stood in presence of a being of a nature superior to their own.  Though he spoke in his usual quiet tone, the lowest of his syllables went into the ears of the most distant of the crew; and, when his brief lesson was ended, the men stood before him not only like delinquents who had been reproved though pardoned, but with the air of criminals who were as much condemned by their own consciousness as by the general voice.  Among them all was only one seaman who, perhaps from past service was emboldened to venture a syllable in his own justification.

“As for the matter with the marines,” he said “your Honour knows there is little love between us, though certain it is a quarter-deck is no place to settle our begrudgings; but, as to the gentleman who has seen fit to step into the shoes of”——­

“It is my pleasure that he should remain there,” hastily interrupted his Commander.  “Of his merit I alone can judge.”