ied, and we reached the
water's edge without further interruption.

"You see the dangerous consequences of being in bad company," observed
Nettleship. "We might have been kept locked up all night, and had our
leave stopped for a month when we returned on board."

"But you joined us," said Tom.

"I know I did," said Nettleship, "and I am more to blame than you are,
in consequence of setting you so bad an example; but that does not
prevent me from reading you a lecture. It's easier to preach than to
practise."

"You are right, I see," said Tom; "and I am very glad we haven't lost
our senses, as most of the other fellows have done."

We roused up a waterman who was sleeping in the bottom of his boat, and
got on board the frigate in time to keep the middle watch.

Lord Robert Altamont being fond of amusing himself on shore, was willing
to allow his officers the same liberty, provided a sufficient number
remained on board to maintain the discipline of the ship, for which he
was at all times a great stickler.

"You have never been in London, Paddy," said Nettleship to me one day.
"I have some business that calls me up there. It's a legal affair, and
if I am successful it will add some fifty pounds or more a year to my
mother's income. I have obtained leave, and if you like to accompany
me, I'll ask leave for you to go, and promise to take charge of you."

It was not likely that I should refuse such an offer, and, leave being
obtained, we set off by the coach as Nettleship intended. We had inside
places, for there was only room outside for four persons besides the
coachman, and on the hinder part, on a little box of his own, sat the
guard, arrayed in a scarlet coat, a three-cornered hat, a brace of
pistols in his belt, a hanger by his side suspended by a sash over his
shoulder, while a couple of blunderbusses were stuck into cases on
either side of him ready to his hand.

"Why does the man carry all these arms?" Tasked.

"If he didn't, the chances are that the coach, when passing over
Hounslow Heath, would be attacked by highwaymen or footpads, and the
passengers robbed, if not murdered," answered Nettleship. "As it is,
occasionally some bold fellows stop the coach and cry, `Your money or
your lives,' and the guard is either shot down or thinks it wise not to
interfere, and the passengers have to deliver up their purses."

"I hope that sort of thing won't happen to us," I said.

"When they look in and see