A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
"You say you can keep a secret, Dave ?" continued the commander.
"I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
"Then you don't wish me to confide a secret to you ?" "I don't say that, Captain Passford.

I don't want any man's secrets, and I don't run after them, except for the good of the service.

I was a slave once, but I know what I am working for now.

If you have a secret I ought to know, Captain Passford, I will take it in and bury it away down at the bottom of my bosom; and I will give the whole state of Louisiana to any one that will dig it out of me." "That's enough, Dave; and I am willing to trust you without any oath on the Bible, and without even a Quaker's affirmation.