lson,
who had been away on service, came to congratulate me as soon as he
heard the news, and with an instinctive perception of what might be my
feelings, asked me whether I would not like to write my letters in his
cabin, which, for a few hours, was at my service. I thankfully accepted
the offer; and, when summoned by the captain, had relieved my
overcharged heart, and had composed my excited feelings.

"Jacob Faithful, you are aware there is an order for your discharge,"
said he, kindly. "You will be discharged this afternoon into the
_Astrea_; she is ordered home, and will sail with despatches in a few
days. You have conducted yourself well since you have been under my
command; and, although you are now in a situation not to require a good
certificate, still you will have the satisfaction of feeling that you
have done your duty in the station of life to which you have, for a
certain portion of it, been called--I wish you well."

Although Captain Maclean, in what he said, never lost sight of the
relative situations in which we had been placed, there was a kindness of
manner, especially in the last words, "I wish you well," which went to
my heart. I replied that I had been very happy during the time I had
been under his command, and thanked him for his good wishes. I then
bowed and left the cabin. But the captain did not send me on board the
_Astrea_, although I was discharged into her. He told the first
lieutenant that I had better go on shore, and equip myself in a proper
manner; and as I afterwards found out, spoke of me in very favourable
terms to the captain of the _Astrea_, acknowledging that I had received
the education of a gentleman, and had been illegally impressed; so that,
when I made my appearance on board the _Astrea_, the officers of the
gun-room requested that I would mess with them during the passage home.

I went on shore, obtained the money for my bill, hastened to a tailor,
and with his exertions, and other fitting-out people, procured all that
was requisite for the outward appearance of a gentleman. I then
returned to the _Immortalite_, and bade farewell to the officers and
seamen with whom I had been most intimate. My parting with Tom was
painful. Even the few days which I had been away, I perceived, had made
an alteration in his appearance.

"Jacob," said he, "don't think I envy you; on the contrary, I am as
grateful, even more grateful than if such good fortune had fallen to my
own