imself an impetus, and flinging out
his arms, spin round like a turnstile. It certainly was very amusing,
and, no doubt so thought his companion, a fine, manly, handsome-looking
fellow, of thirty-five or thirty-eight, by his long-continued and
vociferous applause. The little spinner was habited in a plain but
handsome uniform, with one gold epaulet on his right shoulder, whilst
the delighted approver had a coat splendid with broad white kerseymere
facings.

I could observe that both parties were deeply immersed in the
many-coloured delirium of much drink. I looked first at one, then at
the other, undecided as to which of the two was my captain. However, I
could not augur ill of one who laughed so heartily, nor of the other,
who seemed so happy in making himself a teetotum. Taking advantage of a
pause in this singular exhibition, I delivered my credentials to the
former and more imposing-looking of the two, who immediately handed them
over to Captain Reud. I was graciously received, a few questions of
courtesy asked, and a glass of wine poured out for me.

My presence was soon totally disregarded, and my captain and his
first-lieutenant began conversing on all manner of subjects, in a jargon
to me entirely incomprehensible. The decanter flew across and across
the table with wonderful rapidity, and the flow of assertion increased
with the captain, and that of assentation with his lieutenant. At
length, the little man with the epaulet commenced a very prurient tale.
Mr Farmer cast a look full of meaning upon myself, when Captain Reud
addressed me thus, in a sharp, shrill tone, that I thought impossible to
a person who told such pleasant stories, and who could spin so prettily
upon a quart bottle. "Do you hear, younker, you'll ship your traps in a
wherry the first thing to-morrow morning, and get on board early enough
to be victualled that day. Tell the commanding officer to order the
ship's tailor to clap the curse of God upon you--(I started with horror
at the impiety)--to unship those poodles from your jacket, and rig you
out with the foul anchor."

"Yes, sir," said I; "but I hope the tailor won't be so wicked, because I
am sure I wish the gentleman no harm."

"Piously brought up," said the captain.

"We'll teach him to look aloft, any how," said the lieutenant, striving
to be original.

"A well-built young dog," said the former, looking at me, approvingly.

"Who is he, may I ask?" said the latter, in a