y brother declared that
nothing but force should ever induce him. The more I talked with him,
the more I was pleased with him. He appeared of a frank, noble
disposition, full of honour and high sentiments, winning in his manners,
and mirthful to excess. Indeed, his handsome countenance implied and
expressed as much, and it did not deceive.

I hardly need say that he took up his quarters in my cabin, and, having
procured for him more suitable apparel, he looked what he was,--the
perfect young gentleman. He was soon a general favourite on board, not
only with the officers but with the men. One would have thought that
the danger and distress we had found him in would have sickened him for
the sea for ever; but it was quite the contrary. He delighted in his
profession, and was certainly born to be a sailor. I asked him what he
felt when he had remained so long clinging to the mast; if he had not
given up all hopes of being saved? And he replied no, that he had not;
that he did not know how long he might have had to remain there, but
that he had never abandoned the idea of being taken off by some vessel
or another, and that he thought that he might have continued there for
twenty-four hours longer without being exhausted, as after he had sunk
himself into the water he felt warm, and no exertion was necessary. It
is of such buoyant spirits as these, Madam, that seamen should be made.

You cannot have an idea of the pleasure which I experienced at this
falling in with my brother Philip. It appeared to have given a new
stimulus to my existence; even privateering did not appear so hateful to
me, after I had heard him express his delight at being likely to be so
employed, for such he stated had long been his ardent wish. Two days
afterwards we had regained our cruising-ground, and perceived a French
privateer steering for the port of Calais, in company with a large
merchant vessel which she had captured. The wind was light, and we
discovered her at daybreak, just as the fog cleared away, she being then
about mid-channel, and not more than five miles distant. We made all
sail, and soon were within gun-shot. The Frenchman appeared determined
not to part with his prize without a trial of strength, but as the
captured vessel was the nearest to us, I decided to retake her first,
and then fight him if he wished. I therefore steered to lay the prize
by the board. The Frenchman, a lugger of twelve guns, perceiving our
in