or allowing those two men, who were catching crabs, to
get so drunk.

Similar tricks to this, every young gentleman entering the service must
expect--tricks that partake as much of the nature of malice as of fun.
Now, in the few days that I had been in the service, I very well
understood that the care of the men, as respected their behaviour and
sobriety, devolved on me, the delivering of old, and the drawing of new
stores, on the boatswain; yet, for the conduct of those men that he took
from under my eye, I felt that, in justice, he was answerable. I
therefore made no reply to the vauntings and railings of Mr Lushby, but
had determined how to act. The boat came alongside. There was nobody
on board but the officer of the watch, and Mr Lushby tumbled up the
side and down the waist in double-quick time, sending the chief
boatswain's mate and the yeoman of the stores to act as his deputy. He
certainly did his duty in that respect, as two sober deputies are worth
more than is a drunken principal.

However, I walked into the gun-room to report myself and boat to the
first-lieutenant. The officers were at their wine. I was flattered and
surprised at the frank politeness of my reception, and the welcome looks
that I received from all. I was invited to sit, and a glass placed for
me. When I found myself tolerably comfortable, and had answered some
questions put to me by Mr Farmer, our first-lieutenant, the drift of
which I did not then comprehend, and putting a little wilful simplicity
in my manner, I asked, with a great deal of apparent innocence, if all
the sailors caught crabs when they were drunk.

"Catch crabs, Mr Rattlin!" said Mr Farmer, smiling. "Not always; but
they are sure to catch something worse--the cat."

"With white line--how strange!" said I, purposely misunderstanding the
gallant officer. "Now I know why Mr Lushby took up the two men, and
why all three came down in a state to catch crabs. I thought that white
line had something to do with it."

"Yes, Mr Rattlin, white line has." Mr Farmer then motioned me to stay
where I was, took up his hat, and went on deck. I need not tell my
naval readers that the boatswain was sent for, and the two men placed
aft. It was certainly a very cruel proceeding towards the purveyor of
white line, who had just turned his cabin into a snuggery, and had taken
another round turn, with a belay over all, in the shape of two more
glasses of half-and-half. When he fo