e you a short time. Probably we may ask you a few
more questions."

"'"Hem!" muttered Billy, and he scratched his head. After an interval of
half an hour, the Commissioner who had been his former messmate, entered
with his certificate.

"'"I have much pleasure," said he, "in having the power to present you
your passing certificate, and I hope your speedy promotion will follow. Do
you stay long in London?"

"'"Only to have a cruise in Wapping and to see St. Paul's and the
Monument," returned Billy, "and then I shall make all sail for
Portsmouth."

"'"Have you any shot in your locker?" asked Captain T. "As much as will
serve this turn," replied Billy, "for Lord Hood has sent me an order for
ten pounds on his banker." "Good afternoon, Culmer," said the former. "I
wish you your health." "Thank you," replied Billy; "the same to you; but
give me more sea-room next time you examine me, and do not let me tail on
the Hoe."' Billy, through the interest of Lord Hood, was quickly installed
lieutenant, but died shortly afterwards."

"Well," said the admiral's lady, "I think, Captain M., had I known this
Billy Culmer, as you call him, I certainly should have made a pet of him."

"I am afraid, my dear," answered the Admiral, who appeared relieved now
the story was at an end, "you would have found him very pettish." The
admiral's play on the word produced a smile.

A young captain who sat near Lady Campbell asked her if she had ever heard
of a captain who was, in consequence of his extravagant behaviour, called
"Mad Montague?" "Pray, my dear," cried the Admiral, who appeared terrified
at the idea of another story, "let us have our coffee."

The hint was sufficient, we sipped our beverage and _chasse_, and departed
in peace.

Being ready for sea we left the Downs, and in a few hours were off our old
cruising ground to watch the terrible flotilla and the privateers, which
were principally lugger-rigged and carried long guns of different
calibres, with from fifty to seventy-five men. Some few had ten or
fourteen guns, besides swivels. The vessels forming the flotilla consisted
of praams, ship-rigged, and brigs carrying one or two eighteen or
twenty-four pounders, and the largest a thirty-two pounder (with sixty or
ninety men), all of them flat-bottomed. They sometimes, when the wind blew
fresh from the westward, ran down in squadrons close in shore, under the
protection of their batteries, to Calais. One Sunday I chased twenty-s