“Thank your honor,” said Willis, bowing.

“And now, lieutenant, you will be kind enough to rate William Stubbs on the books as boatswain.”

“Aye, aye, captain,” said Willis, handing his whistle to Bill.

“Pipe to breakfast,” said the captain.

“Aye, aye, sir,” replied the new boatswain, sounding the whistle.

“By the way,” said Littlestone, turning to Jack, “I do not see the surgeon you spoke of on board.  How is this?”

“He is on board for all that,” said Jack, drawing an official looking document out of his pocket; “be kind enough to read that.”

The captain accordingly read as follows:—­

    “Havre, 15th October, 1812.

“This is to certify that Mr. Jack Becker has, for some time, been a student in the hospitals of this town, and that he has successfully passed through a stringent examination as to his acquaintance with the diagnosis and cure of various diseases; as also as to his knowledge of the practice of physic and surgery generally.

“He has specially directed his attention to the treatment of cancer, and has performed several operations for the eradication of that malady to the satisfaction of the surgeon in chief and my own.

    (Signed) “GARAY DE NEVRES, M.D., Inspector of the Hospitals”.

This document was countersigned, sealed, and stamped by the mayor, the prefect, and other authorities of the department.

“How have you contrived to obtain so satisfactory a certificate in so short a period?” inquired the captain.

“I was introduced to the chief surgeon by the medical man on board the Boudeuse.  I stated my position to him, and, probably, he threw facilities in my way of obtaining the object I had in view that were, perhaps, rarely accorded to others.  All the cases of cancer, for example, were placed under my care; I had, therefore, an opportunity of observing a great many phases and varieties of that disease.”

“Are you determined to follow up the profession of surgery, then?”

“Yes, captain; I have shipped a medicine chest on board, a complete assortment of instruments, and a collection of English, French, and German medical works.  It is my intention to make myself thoroughly familiar with the theory of the science, and trust to chance for practice.”

“Then allow me, Mr. Becker, to rate you as surgeon of the Nelson for the outward voyage.  Will you accept the office?”

“With pleasure, Captain; but, at the same time, I trust there will be no occasion to exercise my skill.”

“No one can say what may happen; disease turns up where it is least expected.  Lieutenant,” he added, turning to Willis, “be kind enough to rate Mr. Becker on the ship’s books as surgeon.”

“Aye, Aye, sir.”