"Only a day on board, and friends with the first mate, boatswain, cook, and steward; and, last, though by no means least, your humble servant myself, I being the most important personage of all." "Are you really such a very important personage ?" I rejoined, laughing at his affected air--"as big a man as the captain ?" "Aye, for after another voyage I'll be made third mate too, like Matthews, and then second, and then first; and after that a captain like our old friend `sayings and meanings' here, only a regular tip-topper, unlike him." "Aren't you anticipating matters a bit, like the Barber's Fifth Brother in the Arabian Nights," said I--"counting your chickens before they're hatched, as my father says ?" "Your father must be a wonderful man," he retorted; but he grinned so funnily that I really couldn't be angry, though I coloured up at his remark; seeing which, to change the subject, he added, "Come and let us rouse out the deck-house and make things comfortable there for ourselves." This was easier said than done; for in the first place Weeks, who only seemed to think of eating and sleeping and nothing else, was having a quiet "caulk," as sailors call it, cuddled up in the bunk appropriated by Jerrold as being the roomiest, with all our blankets wrapped round him, although the day was quite warm and spring-like for February.
"Hullo!" cried Jerrold at the sight of the slumbering lamb, seizing hold of the blankets.

"Out you go, my hearty; and confound your cheek for taking possession of my crib!" With these words, giving a good tug, Weeks was rolled out on the deck, tumbling on his head.

This angered him greatly, and he got up as red as a turkey cock, with the freckles on his face coming out in strong relief.
Seeing that Tom Jerrold was the culprit, however, he soon quieted down, being an arrant sneak and afraid of him.
"What did you do that for ?" he whined.

"I was only having a nap." "You're always napping," retorted Tom; "and I should like to know what the dickens you mean by going snoozing in my bunk?
I've half a mind to punch your head.

The next time I catch you at it I'll keelhaul you, Master Sammy, by Jupiter!" Jerrold kept on grumbling away, pretending to be very angry; and he frightened Weeks so that he forgot the ugly knock he had received on his own head, and apologised abjectly for the offence he had committed.