two naval officers, with a brace of pistols
and swords by their sides, the highwaymen will probably ride on. They
are generally, I fancy, arrant cowards, and prefer pillaging old
dowagers, who are likely to afford good booty without any risk," said
Nettleship.

Notwithstanding Nettleship's assertions, I half expected to be stopped,
but we reached London in safety. When he had time Nettleship
accompanied me about to see the sights, but when he was engaged I had to
go out by myself, and consequently very often lost my way. I always,
however, managed to get back to our lodgings without having to obtain a
guide. I will not here describe the adventures I met with. As,
according to Nettleship's advice, I looked upon every one who spoke to
me as a rogue, I escaped being fleeced, as some of my shipmates were who
ventured into the metropolis by themselves. Our leave had nearly
expired, and we had to be down at Portsmouth the following evening.
When we went to the coach office to secure our places, we were told that
the whole coach had been engaged, it was supposed by a gentleman who was
going to take down his family.

"But we must go," said Nettleship to me, "even if we travel in the boot,
for I've not got money enough left to pay for posting, and I should not
like to expend it so even if I had."

We waited until the coach drove up to the office, expecting to see a
dignified gentleman with his wife and daughters inside, and his sons and
servants on the outside. What was our surprise, then, to behold only a
jovial Jack Tar, with his arms akimbo, seated on the roof, looking as
dignified and independent as the Sultan on his throne.

"Come, there's plenty of room," I said to Nettleship. "No one else
seems to be coming; the gentleman who took the coach has probably
delayed his journey."

Nettleship put the question to the coachman.

"There's the gentleman who's taken the coach," he replied, pointing with
his thumb over his shoulder. "He says it's his, and that no one else is
to ride, inside or out. He has paid his money, and we can't interfere."

All this time Jack was regarding us with supercilious glances. I felt
very indignant, and proposed opening the door and getting inside,
whatever the seaman might say, but the doors were locked, and the
shutters drawn up.

"That will never do," observed Nettleship. "Let me tackle him, though
it won't do to give him soft sawder. I say, my man, you lately belonged
to the