in one of the quarter galleries, was
produced, and the captain ordered a couple of bottles to be placed to
each person with the exception of myself. Having thrown his legs upon
another chair than that on which he was sitting, he commenced, "Now,
gentlemen, let us enjoy ourselves. We have the means before us, and we
should be very silly not to employ them. In a hot country, I don't like
the trouble of passing the bottle."

"It is a great trouble to me when it is a full one," said Dr Thompson.

"Besides, the bustle and the exertion destroys the continuity of
high-toned, and intellectual conversation," said Captain Reud, with
amiable gravity.

"It is coming now," thought I. Lieutenant Silva looked at first
embarrassed, and then a little stern: it was evident, that that which
the captain was pleased to designate as highly-toned intellectual
conversation was, despite his literary attainments and the _pas_ of
superiority, the publishing a book had given him, no longer to the
author's taste.

"I have been thinking," said Captain Reud, placing the forefinger of his
left hand, with an air of great profundity, on the left side of his
nose, "I have been thinking of the very curious fatality that has
attached itself to Mr Silva's excellent work."

"Under correction, Captain Reud," said Silva, "if you would permit this
unfortunate work to sink into the oblivion that perhaps it too much
merits, you would confer upon me, its undeserving author, an essential
favour."

"By no means. I see no reason why I may not be proud of the book, and
proud of the author (Mr Silva starts), providing the book be a good
book; indeed, it is a great thing for me to say, that I have the honour
to command an officer who has printed a book; the mere act evinces great
_nerve_." (Mr Silva winces.)

"And," said the wicked purser, "Captain Reud, you must be every way the
gainer by this. The worse the book, the greater the courage. If Mr
Silva's wit--"

"You may test my wit by my book, Mr ---, if you choose to read it," and
the author looked scornfully, "and my courage, when we reach Port
Royal;" and the officer looked magnificently.

"No more of this," said the captain. "I was going to observe, that
perhaps I am the only officer on the station or even in the fleet, that
has under my command a live author, with the real book that he has
published. Now, Mr Silva, we are all comfortable here--no offence is
meant to you--only compliment and ho