us to his sailing
for England in a frigate ordered home, and saying, "Mr Keene, my duties
in the House of Lords, and family affairs, require my presence in
England, and I think it most probable that I now quit the service
altogether; but I shall not lose sight of you. You have conducted
yourself much to my satisfaction, and I will take care of your
advancement in the service, if you only continue as you have begun. I
shall be happy to hear from you, if you will write to me occasionally.
I wish you every success. Is there anything that I can do for you?"

"I am most grateful, my lord," replied I, "for all your kindness. I had
hoped to have been longer under your protection and guidance; but I am
aware that your high station must now prevent it. If I might be so bold
as to ask a favour, my lord?"

"Certainly, Keene," replied his lordship.

_Keene_! not _Mr_ Keene, thought I.

"It is, sir, that I--think I should have a better chance of doing
something if I were to obtain the command of the Firefly schooner; the
lieutenant commanding her is about to invalid."

"I agree with you. I will speak to the admiral this very day. Is that
all?"

"Yes, my lord; unless you think you could ask for Cross, your coxswain,
to be appointed to her. I should like to have a man on board whom I
knew, and could trust."

"I will see about it, and so good-bye."

His lordship held out his hand. I took it very respectfully; he had
never done so before, and the tears ran down my cheeks as I was quitting
him. His lordship observed it, and turned away. I left the cabin,
quite overcome with his kindness, and so happy, that I would not have
changed positions with the grand sultan himself.

Lord de Versely was faithful to his promise: the next day I received
from the admiral my appointment to the Firefly, and, what was more
unexpected, Bob Cross received a warrant as her boatswain. This was a
very kind act of Lord de Versely, and I was as much delighted as Bob
himself. I also received an invitation to dinner with the admiral on
that day. On my arrival at the house, a few minutes before dinner, the
admiral called me aside to the verandah, and said to me, "Mr Keene, I
have not forgotten your cruise in the pirate schooner, and Lord de
Versely has told me of your good behaviour in many instances since;
particularly of your conduct in the boats off Berbice. In his
despatches he has given you great praise, and I have added mine to back