Indies, I shall pass over
some months, during which we remained tolerably healthy, took many
prizes, cut out some privateers, and spent money so rapidly gained, in a
manner still more rapid.

Of my own messmates I remember but little. They were generally
shockingly ignorant young men, who had left school too early, to whom
books were an aversion, and all knowledge, save that merely nautical, a
derision. I had to go more often to fisty-cuffs with these youths, in
defending my three deckers--words of Latin or Greek derivation--than on
any other occasion. I remember well that the word "idiosyncrasy" got me
two black eyes, and my opponent as "pretty a luxation" of the shoulder
by being tumbled down the main hatchway at the close of the combat, as
any man of moderate expectations might desire. I was really obliged to
mind my parts of speech. I know that instead of using the obnoxious
word "idiosyncrasy," I should have said that Mr So-and-so had "a list
to port in his ideas." I confess my error--my sin against elegance was
great; but it must be said in extenuation that then I was young and
foolish.

However, I really liked my mode of life. Notwithstanding my occasional
squabbles with my messmates upon my inadvertently launching a
first-rate, I can safely say I was beloved by everybody--nor is the term
too strong. The captain liked me because I was always well dressed, of
an engaging appearance, and a very handsome appendage to his gig, and
aide-de-camp in his visits on shore; perhaps from some better motives--
though certainly, amidst all his kindness to me, he once treated me most
tyrannously.

The doctor and the purser liked me, because I could converse with them
rationally upon matters not altogether nautical. The master almost
adored me, because, having a good natural talent for drawing, I made him
plans of the hold, and the stowage of his tiers of water-casks, and
sketches of headlands in his private log-book, to all which he was
condescending enough to put his own name. The other superior officers
thought me a very good sort of fellow, and my messmates liked me,
because I was always happy and cheerful--and lent them money.

The crew, to a man, would have done anything for me, because--(it was
very foolish, certainly)--I used, for some months to cry heartily when
any of them were tied up. And afterwards, when I got rid of this
weakness, I always begged as many of them off from the infliction of the
lash