The Three Lieutenants | Page 8

to bed
to dream of his dashing frigate, of Howe, Nelson, and Collingwood, of
the countless adventures in which he expected to engage, and of the
heroic exploits he had determined to perform.
Tom got up the next morning, feeling two inches taller, and walked
about all day with the full consciousness that he was no longer a
schoolboy, but a midshipman in the Royal Navy, with the right to
demand due respect from all civilians; indeed the female portion of the
establishment, with whom he was a monstrous favourite, were perfectly
ready to humour him to his heart's content. He had been the last baby in
the family, and it was only a wonder that he had escaped being utterly
spoiled. His manners did not escape the notice of the Admiral, who,
highly amused, called him to take a turn in the grounds.
"A little advice from an old salt, who has seen no small amount of
service, will do you no harm, my boy," he began, after they had walked

some way, talking of various matters. "You cannot steer a straight
course, either on shore or afloat, without a definite object to guide you.
Let yours be Duty. Never mind how disagreeable or how arduous or
difficult it may seem, do that which you believe you ought to do,
strictly obey the orders you receive, never neglect an opportunity of
doing the right thing or of gaining professional knowledge, and never
be tempted to do the wrong one. Every officer, remember, and man, too,
from the commander-in-chief downwards, is bound to act to the best of
his abilities for the good of the service. Whatever you are ordered to do,
or however you may be treated by those above you, believe that they
are actuated by that principle. If you remember that whatever you may
be doomed to bear is for the good of the service, you will be able to
endure an immense amount of what you may think hardship without
grumbling. You will find a good many persons above you on board
ship whom you will be bound to obey--your brother Jack among them.
Be as zealous and as ready in obeying him as any one else. Never take
offence from superiors or equals; it is the sign of a weak mind. When
spoken to or even abused, whether you are in the right or the wrong,
don't answer again, and don't be ashamed of expressing regret when
anything has gone wrong. Do your best on all occasions--more you
cannot do. There, Tom, I have given you a pretty long lecture; log it
down in your memory, and act upon it. I repeat--let Duty be your
guiding star; do your best for the good of the service, and don't grumble
at your superiors or abuse your inferiors. These are golden rules well
worth remembering, my boy."
"Thank you very much, Admiral Triton; I will try and not forget them,"
answered Tom.
"By-the-bye, you'll not find midshipmen of much 'count on board ship,"
continued the Admiral, with a twinkle in his eye, watching to see how
Tom took his remark. "Not only are they inferior in rank to all the
commissioned officers, but to the three warrant officers who have risen
from before the mast, and even the petty officers and men are inclined
to treat them as nurses do the babies under their charge; so you must
not be disappointed if you do not meet with the respect you may
possibly expect from those whom you may look upon as your inferiors,

though they'll obey you readily when you repeat the orders you have
received from your superiors."
"I understand, Admiral," said Tom, wincing a little at the remark about
the babies, though he laughed as he spoke; "but I suppose, if I set to
work to learn my duty and get quickly out of petticoats, I shall be sent
away in charge of boats, as Jack used to be, and have opportunities of
proving that I am worth something."
"Well said, Tom; it won't be long before you are breeched, depend on
that," said the Admiral, laughing and patting him on the back. "Just
don't mind asking for information from those able to afford it, and you
will soon become a sailor."
The last days at home went rapidly by. Tom enjoyed the satisfaction,
shared in by the whole household, of appearing in his new uniform, an
old one of Jack's, which exactly fitted him, having been sent to Selby,
the Portsmouth tailor, as a pattern. With no little pride also he buckled
on a sword to his side, dirks having by that time gone out of fashion.
Dreading the Admiral's quizzing glances, he took the opportunity of his
absence to exhibit himself, again putting on plain