There was constant labour for all hands ; the sails had to be made and shortened every hour ; the strain told on the men 's temper ; there was a growl of quarrelling all day long from berth to berth ; and as I was never allowed to set my foot on deck , you can picture to yourselves how weary of my life I grew to be , and how impatient for a change . And a change I was to get , as you shall hear ; but I must first tell of a conversation I had with Mr. Riach , which put a little heart in me to bear my troubles . Getting him in a favourable stage of drink -LRB- for indeed he never looked near me when he was sober -RRB- , I pledged him to secrecy , and told him my whole story . He declared it was like a ballad ; that he would do his best to help me ; that I should have paper , pen , and ink , and write one line to Mr. Campbell and another to Mr. Rankeillor ; and that if I had told the truth , ten to one he would be able -LRB- with their help -RRB- to pull me through and set me in my rights . `` And in the meantime , '' says he , `` keep your heart up . You 're not the only one , I 'll tell you that . There 's many a man hoeing tobacco over-seas that should be mounting his horse at his own door at home ; many and many ! And life is all a variorum , at the best . Look at me : I 'm a laird 's son and more than half a doctor , and here I am , man-Jack to Hoseason ! '' I thought it would be civil to ask him for his story . He whistled loud . `` Never had one , '' said he . `` I like fun , that 's all . '' And he skipped out of the forecastle . CHAPTER VIII THE ROUND-HOUSE One night , about eleven o'clock , a man of Mr. Riach 's watch -LRB- which was on deck -RRB- came below for his jacket ; and instantly there began to go a whisper about the forecastle that `` Shuan had done for him at last . '' There was no need of a name ; we all knew who was meant ; but we had scarce time to get the idea rightly in our heads , far less to speak of it , when the scuttle was again flung open , and Captain Hoseason came down the ladder . He looked sharply round the bunks in the tossing light of the lantern ; and then , walking straight up to me , he addressed me , to my surprise , in tones of kindness . `` My man , '' said he , `` we want ye to serve in the round-house . You and Ransome are to change berths . Run away aft with ye . ''
Even as he spoke , two seamen appeared in the scuttle , carrying XXXXX in their arms ; and the ship at that moment giving a great sheer into the sea , and the lantern swinging , the light fell direct on the boy 's face .
Hoseason Rankeillor Ransome Shuan berths first forecastle labour laird round-house