body, next to his skin, a small leather pouch, which he carefully secured. The inanimate forms were then conveyed upon the poop, and there extended side by side.

The weather-current made about daylight, the anchor was weighed, and we worked into the Downs, and moored ship. Major Campbell and Captain Burgess had had a long conversation together; and the moment the best bower was let go, a Deal hovelling boat came alongside, into which the dead bodies were put, the Major embarking with them for the shore, to wait upon the Admiral. Strange conjectures and rumours ran amongst the officers and seamen, as to the mysterious and concealed packet that had been taken from the smuggler; for the few words which reached us during his last communication had reference to the state of affairs in France, and the prospect of approaching hostilities with England. That much importance was attached to what he had uttered was very evident; and it soon transpired that the man was in the employ of Government as a spy, that he was much valued for the correctness of the intelligence he generally obtained, and considerable reliance was placed on the information he gave. In the present instance I never accurately ascertained what he communicated to the Major, but I know it had reference to the secret preparations that were making in the French arsenals and ports for the invasion of England, and the despatching of a French squadron into the Indian Ocean.

We had this time no necessity to wait for convoy, as peace, though hollow and suspicious, still remained unbroken. Major Campbell returned on board. A man-of-war brig from Portsmouth gave us the intelligence that the India fleet were all ready to sail, and would do so the moment the wind became favourable, which took place that night; and in the middle watch the hands were turned up to unmoor; and long before daylight we were under canvass, walking away with a fresh breeze from E.N.E. that soon carried us off the Ower's light; but whilst making the best of our progress in for Spithead, a sudden squall split the main-topsail to ribands, and the fore-topmast went over the side. The anchors were let go, and the ship brought up; but the delay lost us the convoy, for they had already taken their departure, and Captain Burgess, under the circumstances that had come to his knowledge, would not, after the damages were repaired, run any risk, and consequently we had to moor at that wild and unpleasant anchorage, the Motherbank. The greater portion of the passengers went on shore and took lodgings at Portsmouth, and amongst them was Beaumgardte, the cadet, so that we saw nothing of him for several weeks.

Our seamen, as was the custom, having been paid two months in advance just before quitting Gravesend, a very careful look-out was kept lest they should give us the slip, and an officer was constantly sent to examine all decked boats previous to their shoving off from alongside. It happened on one occasion, when old Dawes the pilot in his cutter had boarded us, that this duty devolved on me. There was a strong breeze, and the weather was so intensely cold that there was no little danger of being frost-bitten. I descended the gangway into the craft, and after examining her, I seized the man-ropes to return to the Indiaman just as the cutter was sheering off. One spring from her gunwale brought me on to the side-ladder; but my hands were so completely benumbed, that I could not feel the rope, and apprehensive that I had nothing to

hold on by, I let go, and fell backwards between the two vessels into the water, without having been seen by any one, nor was it till old Dawes had got clear away that the officer of the deck missed me, from not making my report. Fortunately, the hawser that had been used as a quarterfast for the cutter was towing overboard, having been just that moment let go, and as I dropped astern, it got under my arm-pit, and I clung to it with desperation, at the same time making attempts to swim. The strength of the current, however, was carrying me away, and the hawser in my struggles was sliding from my hold, so that in a very short time I must have closed my earthly career by a watery grave, when happily my dangerous situation was discovered, a boat was lowered down, and Pascoe, grasping me by the collar of my jacket, uttered a blessing on the tailor who had made it so firm, and rescued me from death. As it was, I was for a considerable interval of time quite insensible, and several days elapsed before I was able to return to my duty. At length a frigate hoisted the signal for convoy bound to the East Indies; and as several of the Company's ships had joined us at the Motherbank, we re-embarked our passengers, and prepared for sea. The Captains received their instructions, the wind was fair, the ships were unmoored, and away we went through the Needles with a staggering gale down Channel, and across the Bay of Biscay. At first but very few of the passengers made their appearance out of their cabins ; but as we got into a warmer latitude, with a pleasant breeze and smooth water, both ladies and gentlemen ventured forth to enjoy the sweet fresh air, after a nauseous confinement from bad weather and seasickness.

In the first ship I had joined, the midshipmen were obliged to keep watch-and-watch; but Mr. Tremenhere considered this as rather too arduous a duty for youths who had been accustomed to indulgences; and therefore we were divided into three watches-Pascoe and myself being placed in that of the second mate-a worthy soul, peculiarly fond of a good middle watcher; and as he was particularly gentlemanly and unostentatious in his manners, he became quite a favourite with the passengers, both male and female: so that it not unfrequently happened that some of the gentlemen would turn out, when the night was fine, to walk the deck with him-indeed in the first watch Major Campbell seldom missed joining us. I say us for Mr. Allen, though a strict disciplinarian when any particular duty was performing, and would have reprimanded or punished wilful neglect or heedlessness, yet he had naturally a kind and generous disposition, and never forbade us to approach and converse with him at intervals of relaxation. His mind was well stored with useful knowledge, derived from practical experience; and he never seemed more gratified and pleased than when imparting that sort of information which could not fail to instruct and improve. Yet he was by no means deficient in humour, and he dearly loved a good nautical joke, and was nearly as playful as Pascoe himself, so that whatever mischief was practised during the night upon the sleeping cadets, was immediately attributed to Mr. Allen and the youngsters of his watch.

There is something exquisitely delightful in contemplating the innocence of infancy; and a fondness for children of tender years I have invariably found to be a leading characteristic of an amiable and bene

volent disposition. Such was Captain Lys-he was very soon installed nurse-general to the beautiful twins, and was rewarded by the sweet smile and pleasing converse of their lovely mother. Captain Burgess attended alike to the wants of his lady-passengers and the winding-up of his chronometers; his table was admirably supplied, and his wines were excellent.

In about ten days we arrived at the island of Madeira; and through the intercession of Mr. Allen, Pascoe and myself obtained a day's leave of absence, and after some entreaty Marshall was permitted to join us, as did also several of the more juvenile portion of the cadets. Beaumgardte had rendered himself obnoxious to all parties in the ship for his insufferable conceit, and his presumptuous pride had brought upon him the contempt of his superiors in rank, whilst those whom he had neglected or treated with hauteur repaid him in his own coin, when, rejected by the higher class, he wished to fall back upon his equals in station. He too went on shore, but he went alone.

We pulled for the rocky beach outside the walls of the town. "You have heard and read of crocodiles and alligators, Marshall ?" said Pascoe inquiringly.

"In truth have I, Pascoe," replied Marshall; " but never saw any sic ootlandish animals sin I was born."

"You shall see them by hundreds now, my boy," said Pascoe, " for they run about quite tame on shore, only they're very small."

I suspected this was some trick; and so I found it; for the crocodiles and alligators of Pascoe were an immense number of large lizards that played, tamely enough, about the walls of the town and among the masses of loose stones that were scattered beneath. "There they are, Marshall," cried Pascoe, " all alive and kicking." The Scotchman stared; but Pascoe, without further notice, exclaimed, "Come, Grummett, as this is to be a voyage of discovery, and we shall have to explore the geography of the island, we must each of us get a good sailing craft. But avast, the boat's crew must freshen the nip before they shove off. Here, Davis," (the man ran up,) "here's a couple of dollars for you: go up and bring down some wine for the men, and bear a hand about it."

Aye, aye, Mr. Pascoe," returned the seaman, touching his hat: "I've got a spare bucket in the boat, and God bless you, Sir, for thinking on us."

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Look smart, Davis, and make short miles in your run, for I promised Mr. Tremenhere to see the boat off again," said Pascoe encouragingly" get good stuff, or none at all.-Gentlemen," addressing the cadets, "I hope you'll have the goodness just to overhaul your lockers, and see if you haven't a small trifle for the lads-they won't visit Madeira for a dog watch or two, and it is but fair they should have a drop to cherish the cockles of the heart. Come, Grummett, hand your hat round in all due civility-Marshall, I see, has forgot his cash, or, with the habitual caution of his country, keeps it snug under hatches -well, never mind, I'll lend you a dollar, and woe be to you if it is not repaid some time or other." The fact was, Marshall was nearly destitute of cash, and thus Pascoe generously forced his share upon him, without humbling his feelings or submitting to a refusal.

A very handsome sum was collected for the boat's crew, and Davis

soon returned with a full bucket of excellent Madeira wine; the men gathered round him, the midshipmen and cadets seemed to enjoy the scene, and a motley group of Portuguese soldiers, boatmen, hucksters, &c., collected together, looking on. "Come, lads," said Pascoe, addressing us, we must all have a taste, if it is only to say we've drank Madeira out of a bucket. Here, Davis, hand here the stuff." The man cheerfully complied. "And now, Davis, what's the toast to be?"

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Davis scratched his head, hitched up his trousers, looked round at the men, as if trying to collect something from their wishes, and then uttered, Why, as for the matter o' the toast, Mr. Pascoe, mayhap you'd work to windard o' me in them consarns; but, howsomever, I always obeys orders, and so, if you please, Sir, give better times

to us.'

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"Good!" said Pascoe laughing, and winking his eye at me, as he lifted the bucket to his lips, and shouted out Here's better times to us, boys!" The toast went round, the cadets entering into the spirit of the thing; and though there might have been a happier (which I much question), there could not be a merrier group.

Whilst thus engaged, the frigate's boat landed several " young gentlemen," who were likewise on leave; but the different impress of the buttons made the white kerseymere look down with assumed contempt on the black velvet, and they were passing us with aristocratic hauteur, not unaccompanied by expressions of ridicule, when a hearty laugh from Pascoe brought them up all standing, and one of them strutting up to him, demanded whether" he intended to insult him."

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Not particularly," returned Pascoe, giving back a look of defiance: "I seldom single out an individual where all are equally blameable." "A better knowledge of the distance between us, Sir, would have been commendable," exclaimed the first, whose party had approached ready to back him.

"That distance, I presume, which you were teaching us," rejoined Pascoe," by the sneer you gave when passing. We are in different services, Sir; but nothing shall make me forget what is due to gentlemen, and what is due to those who mistake the character-You perfectly understand me, I hope?"

"Your language admits of but one meaning, Sir," said the other haughtily: " and if you will allow me a few minutes' conversation apart, I have no doubt we shall soon come to a right explanation."

"Each with his friend," said Pascoe: "mine is already selected," taking me by the arm.-"Allow me to introduce Mr. Grummett to your especial regard."

"This must not be singly dealt with," exclaimed one of the cadets."We cannot stand idly by where all are equally concerned, nor can we permit Pascoe to take the affair wholly upon himself."

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"You shall not want for opponents, if that's your humour," exclaimed one of the other party; though I think you might stop till you get to Madras before you slip for t'other world."

"Give us fair play, and no after-claps, your honour," said Davis, touching his hat to the midshipman of the frigate," and I'm if my chaps here won't lick your boat's crew like good-uns, and they shall have share out o' the bucket first-what d'ye say, lads ?" A cheer in reply brought the man-o'-war's men to the spot, and the numbers on

both sides being equal, there seemed to be as pretty a piece of mischief brewing as could be well conceived.

I must own, and I do so with pleasure, that the generous kindness I had received from officers in the Royal Navy had strongly attached me to the Service and all connected with it, and therefore I was determined to interpose my persuasions to try and arrest the progress of an affair which promised honour to none, and the more especially as the whole had originated in professional jealousy amongst a few high-spirited youths, whose years had not tempered their courage with discretion. "If our quarrel can be settled by no other means than violence," said I, " then, Pascoe, I am ready to attend you; but really I should feel obliged to any one who could tell me seriously what it is all about."

Nearly every mouth was open in a moment-those of my own party declaring I wished, from old recollections, to join their opponents, and the man-o'-war's men insisting that I was showing a white feather. I had during even my short experience learned to bear things somewhat patiently; and having again obtained a hearing, I seriously demanded "whether the cause of quarrel was such as to require an expiation that must necessarily involve us all in difficulties, or whether it would not be better to settle it amicably."

"I thought so," exclaimed the midshipman, who had first addressed Pascoe, and now was speaking to him again-" Your friend, as you call him," said he sneeringly, seems to be a little alarmed at the thoughts of danger; he will be a valuable acquisition if war should break out, and you fall in with an enemy! D-me, but I do hate a

What he was going to add did not transpire-(I suppose it was the word coward)-for a hand was placed over his mouth by an officer in the dress of a master and commander, (such being the title of a captain of a sloop-of-war in those days,) and I immediately recognized my kindhearted protector and friend during my tedious march to Verdun, the gallant first-lieutenant of the Blazeaway-Mr., now Captain, Tomkin. "Young gentleman," said he, addressing the midshipman of the frigate, "I congratulate you upon my timely prevention of an offence that would not only have been an act of gross injustice on your part, but might have led to consequences fatal to two brave youths, for such I know you both to be. I came amongst you unperceived, and have overheard part of your wrangling. Now, without any wish to be deemed officious, I lay aside my rank as your superior, and request a knowledge of the transaction before I claim friendship with an old acquaintance here." I was approaching, but he motioned me to stand back." Seamen, to your boats!" said he authoritatively, "and do not quit them again." The men obeyed. And now," he continued, 66 am I to exercise the privilege of rank, or will you look upon me as your mutual friend?" By this time, as Captain Tomkin was very deliberate in his manner of addressing us, most of the hot and fiery natures had become somewhat cooled; and the condescension of such a man in offering his mediation began to operate with full effect. "I perceive by your silence," said he, that you freely give consent; and now, Mr. Grummett, to your tale."

Without hesitation I related what had taken place in the most impartial manner, but not without a strong spice of ridicule that set both sides a laughing heartily, and promised to restore good humour and harmony.