t on deck, in person.
Although he endeavoured to shake off the painful doubts that beset him,
and to appear as cheerful as became an officer who had just performed a
brilliant exploit, the vice-admiral found it difficult to conceal the
shock he had received from Bluewater's communication. Certain as he felt
of striking a decisive blow at the enemy, could he be reinforced with
the five ships of the rear division, he would cheerfully forego the
triumph of such additional success, to be certain his friend did not
intend to carry his disaffection to overt acts. He found it hard to
believe that a man like Bluewater could really contemplate carrying off
with him the ships he commanded; yet he knew the authority his friend
wielded over his captains, and the possibility of such a step would
painfully obtrude itself on his mind, at moments. "When a man can
persuade himself into all the nonsense connected with the _jus
divinum_," thought Sir Gervaise, "it is doing no great violence to
common sense to persuade himself into all its usually admitted
consequences." Then, again, would interpose his recollections of
Bluewater's integrity and simplicity of character, to reassure him, and
give him more cheering hopes for the result. Finding himself thus
vacillating between hope and dread, the commander-in-chief determined to
drive the matter temporarily from his mind, by bestowing his attention
on the part of the fleet he had with him. Just as this wise resolution
was formed, both Greenly and Wycherly appeared on the poop.

"I am glad to see you with a hungry look, Greenly," cried Sir Gervaise,
cheerfully; "here has Galleygo just been to report his breakfast, and,
as I know your cabin has not been put in order since the people left the
guns, I hope for the pleasure of your company. Sir Wycherly, my gallant
young Virginian, here, will take the third chair, I trust, and then our
party will be complete."

The two gentlemen assenting, the vice-admiral was about to lead the way
below, when suddenly arresting his footsteps, on the poop-ladder, he
said--

"Did you not tell me, Wychecombe, that the Druid had sprung her
foremast?"

"Badly, I believe, Sir Gervaise, in the hounds. Captain Blewet carried
on his ship fearfully, all night."

"Ay, he's a fearful fellow with spars, that Tom Blewet. I never felt
certain of finding all the sticks in their places, on turning out of a
morning, when he was with you as a lieutenant, Greenly. How many
j