It was the young soldier who had been that day sentry at the convict gangway.
"Well, miss," he said, "I am here, yer see, waiting for yer." "You are a good boy, Miles; but don't you think I'm worth waiting for ?" Miles grinned from ear to ear.
"Indeed you be," said he.
Sarah Purfoy frowned, and then smiled.
"Come here, Miles; I've got something for you." Miles came forward, grinning harder.
The girl produced a small object from the pocket of her dress.

If Mrs.
Vickers had seen it she would probably have been angry, for it was nothing less than the captain's brandy-flask.
"Drink," said she.

"It's the same as they have upstairs, so it won't hurt you." The fellow needed no pressing.

He took off half the contents of the bottle at a gulp, and then, fetching a long breath, stood staring at her.
"That's prime!" "Is it?
I dare say it is." She had been looking at him with unaffected disgust as he drank.

"Brandy is all you men understand." Miles--still sucking in his breath--came a pace closer.
"Not it," said he, with a twinkle in his little pig's eyes.