ire
could be checked from spreading. The fun then began in earnest. A stick
of timber was used as a battering-ram for the outside; inside the
building the sailors were like a swarm of bees. One enterprising man
was boosted up into the attic; he did not remain there long, however,
for, making a misstep, he went through the second-story ceiling, his
body and a quantity of plastering landing on his shipmates below. That
building was a complete wreck in a very short time. While the wrecking
was in progress, some of the sailors had got on the roof of a building
next to the fire. Then the hose was pulled up, and during that process
the sailors close by got a good ducking occasionally. Somehow, the
sailors could not control the nozzle properly---at least they said so.
In a short time the fire was put out, and there were four buildings not
damaged between the ruins and the wreck. How that insurance agent did
growl and rave!

All hands picked up their buckets and were marched to the navy yard, and
on our way a saloon-keeper was called out of bed and the lieutenant
treated each man to a pint of beer. About daylight we were on board the
ship again. The sailor who so gallantly held the nozzle and squelched
the fire was in luck. The insurance company made him a present of ten
shillings, and also wrote a letter to the captain of the Excellent,
praising the conduct of the aforesaid sailor. As he had ruined a fine
pair of trousers which cost him twenty shillings to replace, his reward
was considered quite small. The men in the house-wrecking business were
inclined to be envious; they were not even thanked for their hard work.

By hard study and strict attention to duty, I soon became a good gunner.
The cutlass exercise I was very fond of. Every evening, when I remained
on board, I would get some good man to use the single sticks with me for
amusement, and, consequently, I became quite a good swordsman. In April
we received news in regard to the Rebellion in the United States. Jennie
and I had a long conversation on the subject, and both concluded that it
would be much better for me to be in the United States navy, where
promotion was possible. The pay was also much better. Besides, I was not
an Englishman, and it was my duty to fight for my country. It was
arranged that Jennie should go home to her parents, and remain there
until I could send for her from New York. I was to desert from the
Excellent.

Now, deserting from that vessel