Taurus." This was comforting too, and the boy felt as if he had met a friend; but the man slept on till the train slackened speed, and then pulled up with a jerk, while Bob was looking out, to read the name of the station.
Then he started round, for from the far corner the sailor shouted fiercely: "This Portsmouth ?" "No, sir, it's Pately," said the Skipper, in alarm.
"Ho!" grunted the man.

"Mustn't miss my station," and he was settling himself down to sleep again, when, as he glanced at his fellow-traveller, he caught sight of the Skipper's rig-out.
"What cheer, messm't!" he cried boisterously.

"Whither bound ?" and his features expanded into a broad grin.
"Portsmouth," said the Skipper.
"Right you are, messm't.

So'm I.What ship?
'Flash,' eh! My stars! You aren't a middy, are yer ?" "Not yet," said the boy; "but I'm going to be some day." "Right you are," cried the man again; and Bob felt as if he should like to tell the man he ought to say, "You are right;" but the man went on, still looking him over from head to foot: "Then you aren't going to jyne the 'Flash'?
she's a-lying out yonder." "No," said the Skipper, "I am only going to see my father.

He's the Captain." To Bob's astonishment the man jumped up, pulled his forelock, and kicked out his right leg behind.
"Why didn't you say you was a orficer afore ?" he cried.