capstan house. I'll give you the jolly
boat."

I was soon on shore and at the door of his room. I knocked. "Enter," said
a voice not at all encouraging. "What do you want, any orders?" "No, sir,"
said I, with one of my best quarter-deck bows, which appeared to soften
him. "I hope I am not intruding; I have taken the liberty of waiting on
you, sir, to acquaint you that I have served my time." He was half-shaved,
and my visit appeared unfortunately ill-timed, and I began to apprehend by
the expression of his countenance, and the flourishes he made with his
razor, he intended making me a head shorter. "Who sent you to me at this
inconvenient time?" asked he. "The first lieutenant, sir," said I; "he
thought it was better for me to inform you before you went to the
Admiral's pen." "Oh, very well; you may go; shut the door, and let the
barge come for me at seven o'clock." On board I repaired, and delivered
the message. I kept pondering whether my hardy, half-shaven captain's
manner was favourable to the information I had given him or not. My
messmates were anxious to know how I was received. "Not very graciously,"
was my reply. Next morning, to my agreeable surprise, I was ordered to
take the barge, and go on board the _Alarm_ frigate, where I met my old
captain, who shook hands with me, and two others. "Well," said the former,
"are you prepared to prove you are an able seaman and an officer?" "I hope
so, sir," said I. He introduced me to his two brother officers, and
informed them I had sailed with him some time, and that I had frequently
charge of a watch. We all descended to the cabin, where Hamilton Moore's
"Epitome," a slate and pencil were placed before me. I was first asked
several questions respecting coming to an anchor, mooring, tacking,
veering, and taking in sail. I was then desired to find the time of high
water at different places, and the variation of the compass.

They appeared satisfied with my answers and solutions, and before I left
the ship they presented me with my passing certificate. On the following
day I took the oath of allegiance, abused the Pope--poor, innocent man--and
all his doctrines, and received my commission for a twenty-four gun ship
which I joined the day after. I left some of my messmates with regret, as
they were made of the very stuff our Navy required.

CHAPTER X.

MORE CRUISING.

Requested to act as fi