chucked them under the chin. "Ho, ho!" thought I.
On breaking the seal of the envelope of the papers I had given him, he
said, "I find all perfectly in order. How long have you been a commander?"
I informed him. "Your seniors," returned he, "may blush and take your
correctness for a pattern." I made my bow. "You will sail to-morrow for
your station," continued he. "Foley is a good fellow, and I will not
detain you longer than that time, so that you may take prizes for him.
There will be a knife and fork at my table at five o'clock, where, if you
are not engaged, I hope to see you." He then withdrew. If I had not known
this gallant officer's character as a courtier, I should have been highly
flattered by his compliments. Had anyone else stood in my shoes, his
language would most likely have been the same. However, it put me in good
humour, for who is there that does not like to be commended and sometimes
flattered? At the admiral's table I met his amiable daughter, who did not
appear in health, and some old brother officers.

At daylight I robbed Spithead of some of its mud, and was soon in sight of
detested Boulogne, and of its, if possible, more hated flotilla; and I
almost believe that if our men could have caught some of its crew they
would have eaten them alive. This cruise we assisted, as the French say,
in taking one of their privateers, the prize-money of which gave soap to
the ship's company for the next cruise; what other good we did I say not.
At the expiration of another three months, His Majesty's sloop's anchors
once more bit the mud in the Downs. On my going on shore to the admiral's
office, I was informed that I was to repair to Plymouth and there refit. I
was, as Sir R. Strachan said in his despatch, "delighted." I hoped we
should be ordered to the Mediterranean. I dined with the admiral, and the
day after we tore the anchors from their unwilling bed and made all sail.
As I passed the coast near Boulogne I made my bow and wished it good-bye,
I hoped for ever. On the fourth day we graced Plymouth Sound. I made my
bow to the commander-in-chief, Sir R. Calder, who asked me, with some
surprise, where I came from, and what I did at Plymouth. I produced my
order, etc. "This is a mistake of some of the offices; I have no orders
respecting you. However, as you are here, I suppose we must make good your
defects, and, notwithstanding that you have taken us by surprise, I hope I
shall have the pleasure of seeing you