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Updated: June 3, 2025
We were on deck again, and luckily out of hearing of our fellow-midshipmen, when these two menials came up to report themselves: and Hartnoll and I had just arrived at an amicable choice between them. "Here, Bill," said the foremost, advancing and pointing at me with a forefinger, "which'll it be? If you don't mind, I'll take the red-headed one, to put me in mind o' my gal."
"But look here," said the lieutenant, turning on me, "we can't take you on board to-night and without your chests. Oh yes I have your names; Rodd and Hartnoll . . . and a deuced lucky thing for you we tumbled upon you as we did. But Captain Suckling's orders were and I heard him give 'em, with my own ears to fetch you off to-morrow morning. From the Blue Posts, eh?
At eight o'clock next morning Hartnoll and I were eating our breakfast when the waiter brought a visitor to our box a tallish midshipman about three years our senior, with a face of the colour of brickdust and a frame that had outgrown his uniform. "Good-morning, gentlemen," said he; "and I daresay you guess my business. I'm to take you on board as soon as you can have your boxes ready."
Hartnoll turned from her, but I made bold to ask her the nearest way to the Blue Posts. I will give you her exact answer. She said "Turn up on your right hand at the next turning, but, at the next turning of all, on your left; marry, at the very next turning, turn of no hand, but turn down indirectly to the Blue Postesses."
I whistled again, and called up Hartnoll, who had been lagging behind sulkily. But he lost his sulks when I showed him the watch: and he too whistled, and we stood stock-still gazing at the child, who had halted with one bare foot on the edge of the gutter. "She has another about her," said I. "She confessed it." "Good Lord!"
Let's get back to the Posts," Hartnoll repeated. His eyes told me that up to two days ago, when he left home, nine o'clock or thereabouts had been his regular bedtime. It had been mine also. One of the two saucy girls, happening to pass an instant before the booth above us extinguished its lights, spied us in dejected colloquy, and came forward.
I have wondered, since then, to what extent we imposed upon one another: in fact, I daresay, very little; but in spirit we gave and took fire. We were two ardent boys, and we meant well. "Here's to the Service!" said I, holding up my glass. "To the Service!" echoed Hartnoll; drained his, set it down, and looked across at me with a flushed face.
On the way up Hartnoll whispered to me to keep my hands in my breeches pockets, if I carried my money there; and almost on the same instant cried out that someone had stolen his dirk. He stood lamenting, pointing to the empty sheath, while a stout woman at a table took our entrance-money with an impassive face.
"Hullo, young gentlemen," said His Excellency, pinching me and reaching out a hand for Hartnoll, who evaded him, "it seems to me you deserve a thrashing apiece for yesterday and a guinea apiece for to-day. Will you take both, or shall we call it quits?" Well, we called it quits for the time.
No doubt I remembered that Hartnoll was still inside; but for aught I know it was mere shame and rage, and the thought of my insulted uniform, that made me rush back at the door and batter it with fists and feet. I battered until windows went up in the houses to right and left.
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