The
pilot was on board, and the wind was fair. As the frigate had no anchor
down, but was hanging to the moorings in the river, we had nothing to do
but to cast off, sheet home, and in less than half-an-hour we were under
all sail, stemming the last quarter of the flood tide. Tom and I had
remained on the gangway watching the proceedings but not assisting, when
the ship being fairly under sail, the order was given by the first
lieutenant to coil down the ropes.

"I think, Jacob, we may as well help," said Tom laying hold of the main
tack, which was passed aft, and hauling it forward.

"With all my heart," replied I, and I hauled it forward, while he coiled
it away.

While we were thus employed the first lieutenant walked forward and
recognised us. "That's what I like, my lads," said he; "you don't sulk,
I see, and I sha'n't forget it."

"I hope you won't forget that we are apprentices, sir, and allow us to
go on shore," replied I.

"I've a shocking bad memory in some things," was his reply, as he
continued forward to the forecastle. He did not, however, forget to
victual us that day, and insert our names, in pencil, upon the ship's
books; but we were not put into any mess, or stationed.

We anchored in the Downs on the following morning. It came on to blow
hard in the afternoon, and there was no communication with the shore,
except the signal was made, third day, when it moderated, and the signal
was made "Prepare to weigh, and send boat for captain." In the meantime
several boats came off, and one had a postman on board. I had letters
from Mr Drummond and Mr Turnbull, telling me that they would
immediately apply to the Admiralty for our being liberated, and one from
Mary, half of which was for me, and the rest to Tom. Stapleton had
taken Tom's wherry and pulled down to old Tom Beazeley with my clothes,
which, with young Tom's, had been despatched to Deal. Tom had a letter
from his mother, half indited by his father, and the rest from herself;
but I shall not trouble the reader with the contents, as he may imagine
what was likely to be said upon such an occasion.

Shortly afterwards our clothes, which had been sent to the care of an
old shipmate of Tom's father, were brought on board, and we hardly had
received them when the signalman reported that the captain was coming
off. There were so many of the men in the frigate who had never seen
the captain that no little anxiety was shown by the ship's com