d not think it. I am glad, that I am, boy,
to see you, whom I have dandled in my hands many a time, come to sea on
the quarter-deck. You must be an admiral, Ben, some day, that you must.
Those who have sent you to sea must give you a shove upwards while you
have still youth and strength and health in your favour. To many,
promotion comes too late to do them any real good. When hope is knocked
out of a man he is fit for very little in this world, or rather, I
should say, nothing!"

"And Mrs King?" I asked; "how is she?"

"I could not bring her on board again, Ben, but she is very well, and as
strong and active as ever. She has set up a coffee-shop in Gosport,
which gives her something to do, and will help her to keep the pot
boiling till I get back."

We had a fine run down Channel, and a fair wind carried us along, till
we were in the latitude of the Azores. Our orders were, not to go out
of our way, but to do as much damage and harm to the enemy as we
conveniently could on our voyage to the South. We consequently kept a
bright look-out, in the hopes of falling in with a ship worth capturing.
Several times we had chased vessels, but they either managed to escape
us during the night, or proved to be neutrals. At length, however, when
about twenty leagues to the north of Teneriffe, we saw a sail standing
apparently towards that island. That she was a Spaniard seemed
probable, and there were great hopes that she might prove a merchant
vessel. We made all sail, hoping to overhaul her before the sun went
down, but she was a fast craft, and kept well ahead of us. Hour after
hour passed by. All the glasses on board were constantly turned towards
her. Great doubts at length began to be entertained of our capturing
her after all. In our berth, especially, some of the young gentlemen
were ready to sell their expected share of the prize-money, while others
of more sanguine temperament were not unwilling to buy. Dicky Esse,
especially, wanted to purchase my share.

"What will you give, Esse?" I asked, not, however, making up my mind
that the transaction was a very wise one.

"Ten shillings would be handsome, but I have no objections to give you
thirty. She is very likely to be in ballast, and we are more likely
still not to catch her, so that you at all events will be the gainer of
thirty shillings."

"I should not object to the thirty shillings, but if we take her I may
possibly get thirty pounds, and more