iends with a few
hundreds of yards of Brussels lace and gloves, as well as some tubs of
brandy, but were unfortunately interrupted in the exercise of their
profession by those useless sea-beach cruisers called the Coast Guard.
"Pray, sir," said I, "to whom may I be obliged to for the safe conveyance
of these honest men?" "I be the under-sheriff's officer, sir," answered
he, "and I have had mighty hard work to bring them along." "You deserve to
be rewarded, Mr. Deputy Sheriff" (for I like to give every man his title),
said I; "you would probably like to have a glass of grog." "Why it's
thirsty weather, and I shall be obliged to you, sir." I called the
steward, desired he might have some refreshment, and he soon after quitted
the ship, admonishing the live cargo he brought on board, who were still
on the quarter-deck, to behave themselves like good men. A month had
expired by the time the top-gallant masts were on end. We had received all
our officers and two hundred men from Chatham and the river. At length,
Greenwich pensioners, riggers, and dockyard mateys took their departure,
to our great satisfaction, as it was impossible to bring the ship's crew
into discipline whilst they were on board. Our complement, including the
officers, was six hundred and forty men. We had only three hundred and
twenty when orders came down for us to proceed to Plymouth. The captain
and first lieutenant looked very wise on this occasion, and were
apprehensive that if the ship slipped the bridles she would be like an
unruly horse, and run away with us, for there were only forty men on board
who knew how to go aloft except a few of the marines. The pilot made his
appearance, and soon afterwards down went the bridles, and we were fairly
adrift. We reached the Nore, and let go the anchors in a hail squall, and
it was with the greatest difficulty we got the top-sails furled. The
admiral, having proof positive that we were as helpless as a cow in a
jolly-boat, took compassion on us and sent fifty more men from the
flag-ship, most of them able seamen. On the fourth day after quitting the
Nore we anchored in Plymouth Sound.

I now had the delightful opportunity of once more breathing my native air,
viewing beautiful Mount Edgcumbe, revelling in clotted cream and potted
pilchards, tickling my palate--as Quin used to do--with John-dories, conger
eels, star-gazey and squab pies, cray-fish, and sometimes, but not very
often--for my purse was only half-f