and in about
five minutes returned, with his hat swarming with them, which produced a
pale, bright light equal to several candles. The adventure produced much
laughter at the expense of the piquet who had given the alarm, and the
retreat was beat.

At particular periods of the year these little insects meet in the same
manner that birds do on St. Valentine's Day. The soldiers who formed the
piquet had never seen anything of the kind before, and as the sentinel at
a small fort at the entrance of the harbour had been shot by the enemy a
few nights previously, they were determined not to be taken by surprise.

CHAPTER IX.

A MOCK COURT-MARTIAL.

Transhipped to H.M.S. _Queen_ (98)--Sailors' appreciation of
books--The ship runs aground and sinks: with difficulty raised--A
mock court-martial on the master--Author made lieutenant with a
commission on a twenty-four-gun ship.

After completing our water and stores, we sailed, and made the circuit of
St. Domingo, and a month afterwards returned to Port Royal, where we found
the dignity ladies looking as blooming as black roses, and as it was
understood that we were to be paid prize money, a general invitation was
given to all the wardroom officers to a grand ball two days after our
arrival; for be it known to you, gentle reader, that humble mids are never
invited to dignity balls of the first class, which are given by the
mustees and quadroons. Some of these ladies are beautifully formed, with
handsome features. The second class generally consist of mulattos and
blacks; these last are the most numerous; the mids at their balls are
quite at home, and call for sangaree and porter-cup in first style.

At this period I had served my six years within a few months, when the
captain sent for me, and told me he intended sending me on board the
flag-ship on promotion. "I send you there," added he, "beforehand, that
you may have the opportunity of becoming known to the commander-in-chief,
that at the expiration of your time you may be more immediately under his
notice and be sure of your promotion." I thanked him sincerely for his
kind intention, and the following morning behold me, bed and traps,
ensconced in the starboard midshipman's berth--one of the darkest holes of
a cockpit I ever was yet in--on board the _Queen_, a ninety-eight gun ship.
My messmates, ten in number, were