ribed, except that they had given
him in the cockpit (he being a very dark-complexioned man) the name of
"Black Jack"; his praying propensities seldom quitted him, but,
notwithstanding this fault, he had many good qualities. The first
lieutenant of the frigate we left had gone to his family. The second, in
consequence, had become first. He was a thorough seaman, and carried on
the duty with a tight hand. Woe betide the unfortunate mid who was remiss
in his duties: the masthead or double watches were sure to be his portion.
When the former, he hung out to dry two and sometimes four hours. The mids
designated him "The Martinet." The second lieutenant was an elderly man,
something of the old school, and not very polished, fond of spinning a
tough yarn in the middle watch if the weather was fine, a fidgetty,
practical sailor with a kind heart. He informed us he was born on board
the _Quebec_, that his father was gunner of her when she blew up in the
action with the French frigate _Surveillante_, when all on board except
fourteen of the crew perished. Among the number saved were his father and
himself. The former jumped overboard from the fore-channels with the
latter, who was only seven years of age at the time, on his back, and swam
to the Frenchman's foremast, which was floating at a short distance,
having been shot away by the English frigate. He added that had not this
unfortunate accident occurred, the French frigate must have struck her
colours in less than ten minutes. He spoke most indignantly of the conduct
of an English cutter that was in sight at the time. His nickname was "Old
Proser." The third was a gentlemanly person, but more the officer than
practical sailor, fond of reading and drawing, and he frequently gave some
of us instruction in the latter. He had been in the East India Service,
and was a good navigator. We named him "Gentleman Jack." The fourth had
been third in the frigate we left. I have already handed him up. His right
leg was rather shorter than the left; he was called "Robin Grey." The
fifth was a delicate-looking man, fond of dress and the ladies, almost
always unwell; he was something of a sailor, but thought it a horrid bore
to keep watch. Strange as it may appear, this officer left the ship a few
months afterwards, and was made commander, post captain, and retired
admiral without serving afloat! We named him "The Adonis."

The sixth was a stout-built regular man-of-war's man, an officer and a