If he have had a tussle with a messmate, and one or both his eyes are bunged up in consequence, it costs him no small trouble to conceal his disorderly misdeeds.

It would be just as easy, in fact, to stop the winds as to stop the use of fisty-cuffs amongst a parcel of hot-blooded lads between thirteen and nineteen, although, of course, such _rencontres_ are held to be contrary to the laws and customs used at sea, and are punishable accordingly.

The captain, pretending ignorance, however, merely grins; and, without exposing the boy to the necessity of getting up a story, remarks:-- "I suppose, Master Peppercorn, you fell down the after-hatchway ladder, and struck your eye against the corner of a chest?
Didn't you?
And, what is odd enough, I dare say, when I cross to the starboard berth, I shall find Mr.Mustardseed, who has met with exactly the same accident about the same time.

What do yo think?
Eh ?" "I don't know, sir," answers the badgered youngster; "Mr.Mustardseed and I are not on speaking terms." "Very likely not," chuckles the skipper, as he proceeds to thrust his nose curiously into the warrant officers' little boxes.

On arriving at the gun-room, he merely glances, with a well-bred air of assumed indifference, at the apartment of the officers, with whose habits and arrangements he scarcely ever ventures to meddle.