e "Blue Posts," to
which Tom and I, and Nettleship, who afterwards joined us, were invited.
The wine of course flowed freely. Before the feast was over, the
larger number of the party scarcely knew what they were about.

At last it was proposed that we should sally forth, and out we went,
arm-in-arm, in good humour with ourselves, and ready for anything that
might turn up. One of the party commenced a sea-song, in the chorus of
which we all joined at the top of our voices, awaking the sleeping
inhabitants, who, however, were not unaccustomed to such interruptions
to their slumbers. We were becoming more and more uproarious, when we
encountered a party of watchmen in greatcoats, carrying lanterns and
rattles. Having been lately reprimanded for allowing disturbances in
the streets, they took it into their heads to disperse us, telling us in
no very courteous manner to return on board our ships. They were
received with shouts of laughter, and, as they still persisted in
interfering, our leader cried out--

"Charge them, lads."

At the word we rushed forward, scattering the old gentlemen right and
left.

"Chase them, boys! chase them!" cried our leader.

As they went up one street, and then down another, this was no easy
matter, and we became quickly dispersed.

"I say, Paddy, this sort of thing doesn't do," said Tom. "It may be all
very well for those fellows who are paid off, and are going home, but we
shall be getting into a row before long, and it would look foolish to
return on board with broken heads and black eyes."

Just then we met Nettleship, who had been looking for us, and who, being
perfectly sober, fully agreed with Tom. We accordingly directed our
course to the Point, where we knew we should find a boat to take us off.

Just as we were turning out of the High Street, however, we encountered
three of the guardians of the night who had been assailed by our party.
They instantly accused us of attacking them, and I fully expected that
we should be carried off into durance vile.

"How dare you say anything of that sort?" said Nettleship. "We belong
to the _Jason_, Lord Robert Altamont, and his lordship will take very
good care to bring you to justice should you venture to detain us. Make
way there. Let us pass."

The watchmen were overawed by his manner, and we walked steadily on.
Seeing that we were perfectly sober, they supposed that we did not
belong to the party, as they had at first fanc