, at that
time tyrannical oppression on the part of the superiors was winked at,
and no complaints were listened to by the Admiralty, insubordination
which was the natural result, was equally difficult to get over; and
although on board of the larger vessels, the strong arm of power was
certain to conquer, it was not always the case in the smaller, where the
superiors were not in sufficient force, or backed by a numerous party of
soldiers or marines, for there was then little difference between the
two services. Mr Vanslyperken had had more than one mutiny on board of
the vessels which he had commanded, and, in one instance, his whole
ship's company had taken the boats and gone on shore, leaving him by
himself in the vessel, preferring to lose the pay due to them than to
remain longer on board. They joined other ships in the service, and no
notice was taken of their conduct by the authorities. Such was the
state of half discipline at the period we speak of in the service of the
king. The ships were, in every other point, equally badly fitted out
and manned: peculation of every kind was carried to excess, and those
who were in command thought more of their own interest than of anything
else. Ship's stores and provisions were constantly sold, and the want
of the former was frequently the occasion of the loss of the vessel, and
the sacrifice of the whole crew. Such maladministration is said to be
the case even now in some of the continental navies. It is not until a
long series of years have elapsed, that such regulations and
arrangements as are at present so economically and beneficially
administered to our navy can be fully established.

Having settled the point so far, Mr Vanslyperken then proceeded to
debate in his own mind whether he should flog Jemmy in harbour, or after
he had sailed; and feeling that if there was any serious disturbance on
the part of the men, they might quit the vessel if in harbour, he
decided that he would wait until he had them in blue water. His
thoughts then reverted to the widow, and, as he turned and turned again,
he clenched his fists in his great-coat pockets, and was heard by those
near him to grind his teeth.

In the meantime, the news had been imparted by the marine, who came up
into the galley for more warm water, that the dog had had one of his
eyes put out, and it was strange the satisfaction which this
intelligence appeared to give to the ship's company. It was passed
ro