re of the profession.
He had made the best captain of the fleet to his friend, that had ever
been met with. This office, which, in some measure, corresponds to that
of an adjutant-general on shore, was suited to his generalizing and
philosophical turn of mind; and he had brought all its duties within the
circle and control of clear and simple principles, which rendered them
pleasant and easy. Then, too, whenever he commanded in chief, as
frequently happened, for a week or two at a time, Sir Gervaise being
absent, it was remarked that the common service of the fleet went on
like clock-work; his mind seeming to embrace generals, when it refused
to descend to details. In consequence of these personal peculiarities,
the captains often observed, that Bluewater ought to have been the
senior, and Oakes the junior; and then, their joint commands would have
produced perfection; but these criticisms must be set down, in a great
measure, to the natural propensity to find fault, and an inherent desire
in men, even when things are perfectly well in themselves, to prove
their own superiority, by pointing out modes and means by which they
might be made much better. Had the service been on land, this opinion
might possibly have had more practical truth in it; but, the impetuosity
and daring of Sir Gervaise, were not bad substitutes for tactics, in the
straight-forward combats of ships. To resume the narrative.

When Bluewater landed, he returned the profound and general salute of
all on or near the rock, by a sweeping, but courteous bow, which was
nevertheless given in a vacant, slovenly manner; and immediately began
to ascend the ravine. He had actually reached the grassy acclivity
above, before he was at all aware of any person's being near him.
Turning, he perceived that the midshipman was at his heels, respect
alone preventing one of the latter's active limbs and years from
skipping past his superior on the ascent. The admiral recollected how
little there was to amuse one of the boy's habits in a place like
Wychecombe, and he good-naturedly determined to take him along with
himself.

"You are little likely to find any diversion here, Lord Geoffrey," he
said; "if you will accept of the society of a dull old fellow, like
myself, you shall see all I see, be it more or less."

"I've shipped for the cruise, sir, and am ready and happy, too, to
follow your motions, with or without signals," returned the laughing
youngster. "I suppose