ied; `I follow privateering
because I can do no better; but as soon as I can do better, I shall
leave it off.'

"`Perhaps,' said Mr Trevannion, `you would wish to resign the command
at once. If so, I beg you will not make any ceremony.'

"`I have not wished to put you to any inconvenience, Mr Trevannion,'
replied I, `but as you kindly beg me to use no ceremony, I will take
advantage of your offer, and resign the command of the Arrow this day.'"

"Surely, Levee, you have not done so?"

"Yes, I have," replied Captain Levee, "and I have done so, in the first
place, out of friendship to you, and, in the second, because I wish to
be employed in the king's service, and my only chance of obtaining that
wish is doing what I have done."

"How will that effect your purpose?"

"Because the men have sailed so long with me, that they will not sail
under any other person, if I tell them not. Mr Trevannion will find
himself in an awkward position, and I think we can force him to hire his
vessel to government, who will gladly accept such a one as the Arrow."

"That I believe, if from her reputation alone," replied I. "Well,
Levee, I thank you very much for this proof of sincere friendship. The
plot thickens, and a few days will decide the question."

"Very true, and now let me finish my story. `I am afraid,' said Mr
Trevannion, in a very sarcastic tone, `that I shall not be able to find
any one to replace you in this moral age, Captain Levee; but I will
try.'

"`Sir,' I replied, `I will now answer your sarcasm. There is some
excuse for ignorant seamen before the mast, who enter on board of
privateers; they are indifferent to blood and carnage, and their
feelings are blunted: there is some excuse even for decayed gentlemen
like me, Mr Trevannion (for I am a gentleman born), who, to obtain a
maintenance without labour, risk their lives and shed their blood; but
there is no excuse for those who, having already as much wealth and more
than they can require, still furnish the means and equip vessels of this
description to commit the destruction which they do, for the sake of
gain. There is a sermon, Sir, for you from a captain of a privateer,
and I now wish you good morning.' I then got up, and, making a profound
bow, I quitted the room before Mr Trevannion made any reply, and here I
am. Now all we have to do is to wait quietly, and see what takes place;
but first, I shall go on board the Arrow, and let them know that I h