k
again, and took in our moorings at the farm, where I had leave to remain
four days. I had asked two of my messmates to the wedding, who were
obliged to be off next morning by daylight. The same day my good old
father-in-law took me aside and told me he would allow Nancy forty pounds
a year as long as he lived and did well, and that she might remain with
her mother, who did not like parting with her, as she was their only
child, as long as I liked. I thanked the old governor most sincerely, and
informed him that the Secretary of the Admiralty was a relation of my
mother's, a ninety-ninth cousin far removed--but that's nothing--and that I
was certain of a lieutenant's commission in two years, when my time would
be served. Here I counted my chickens before they were hatched, for I have
now served three years over my time, and here I am, with not much a day,
except the good farmer's forty pounds, to keep myself, my wife and a
child. You see," said he, "how I am obliged to keep close hauled, and
can't afford to sport my figure on shore as some of you do. No," added he,
"don't be after splicing yourself until you have a commission, and if you
do then, you will have as much business with a wife as a cow has with a
side pocket, and be, as a noble First Lord of the Admiralty used civilly
to tell married lieutenants, not worth a d----n."

My messmate's narrative brought me up with a round turn, and I felt my
heart working like the tiller-ropes in a gale of wind. "Well," said I,
after a pause, "how did you back out when you parted with your wife?" "You
may well say 'back out,'" said he. "I was taken slap aback--it came over me
like a clap of thunder. I was half inclined to play the shy cock and
desert, and had it not been for the advice of the good old man, I should
have been mad enough to have destroyed my prospects in the Service for
ever. Now," said he, "how do you feel?" "A little qualmish," said I, "and
I'll take a good stiff glass of grog to wash it down. But you have not
finished. How did she behave when you were ordered to join your ship?"
"Nobly," said he; "just as I thought she would. After a good fit of
crying, she threw herself on her mother's shoulder, and after fondly
embracing, me, 'Go,' said she. 'William, may that God who has a particular
providence over our sailors always be with you! If your duty will not
prevent you, come again to-morrow, and get leave to remain until the ship
sails.'

"I joined the sloop, a