hantman of those days (for a more detestable fleet of tubs were
never sent afloat), was seen to be getting up her anchor and loosing
topsails. Mr Vernon had gone away in the second gig at an early hour;
and she was now alongside, while he, with his boat's crew, were on
board. We could see him standing with Miss Blanche Norman on deck.

"More gallant knight or fairer lady never trod this mortal world," quoth
our poetical Third, as he took a sight at his brother officer through
his spy-glass.

I heard a deep sigh, and looking round, I saw Adam Stallman standing
near me; but his countenance was unmoved, and turning on his heel, he
continued pacing the deck as if he had been an unconcerned spectator of
what was going on. The anchor of the brig was run up to the bows and
catted; sail after sail was dropped from its brails and quickly sheeted
home; and under a wide spread of canvas the gallant craft came standing
out of the harbour.

"A prosperous voyage to you," shouted Mr Du Pre through his
speaking-trumpet, as she passed us.

He and all the officers took off their caps. Major Norman and the
master of the _Ariadne_ did the same, and Miss Norman bowed. It was a
trying moment for her, poor girl; for in a few minutes he whom she had
so lately learned to love must quit her for an indefinite period, to
buffet the rude winds and waves of the ocean, or, perchance, to endure
the dangers of the fight,--so said our third lieutenant, or something to
that effect. We watched the _Ariadne_, as long as her topsails appeared
above the horizon, with no little interest, for Mr Vernon's sake. He
at length came back, after a long pull, and was for several days
somewhat grave and abstracted at times; but that mood wore off by
degrees, and there was a buoyancy in his step, and a light in his eye,
which showed that he loved, and was conscious of being beloved in
return.

It would be impossible to give an account of all the minor adventures I
met with in the Mediterranean; but such as I can I will narrate.
Captain Poynder was very anxious to make his midshipmen gentlemen, and
to give us a knowledge of polite literature, as well as to instruct us
in navigation and seamanship. Accordingly he got a Maltese on board to
teach us Italian. Poor Signor Mezzi had never, I believe, been at sea
before; and though we tried to make him comfortable, and Dicky Sharpe
generally resisted the temptation to play him tricks--for he was certain
to be co