Foreland to-night."

[Illustration: I WENT DOWN TO THE BEACH.... AND I WAS SOON ON
BOARD.--Marryat, Vol. X., p. 453.]

The frigate was soon under way; she was evidently well manned, and as
well commanded. The wind fell, as I expected, and after dark we barely
stemmed the ebb tide. Of course I was up all night, as was my duty, and
occasionally entered into conversation with the officer of the watch and
midshipmen. From them I learned that the frigate, which was called the
"Euphrosyne," had just returned from the West India station; that they
had been out four years, during which they had two single-handed
encounters, and captured two French frigates, besides assisting at many
combined expeditions; that they were commanded by Sir James O'Connor,
who had distinguished himself very much, and was considered one of the
best officers in the service; that the frigate had suffered so from the
conflicts in which they had been engaged that she had been sent home to
be surveyed; it was found that she must be docked, and undergo a
thorough repair, and consequently they had been ordered to Sheerness,
where the ship would be paid off. At daylight there was a leading wind
up the river, and we made sail, carrying with us three-fourths of the
flood. The discipline and order of the ship's company were so great that
I felt much more confidence in piloting this vessel, notwithstanding her
greater draught of water, than I did a merchant vessel, in which you had
to wait so long before the people could execute what you required:
_here_, it was but to speak and it was done, well done, and done
immediately; the vessel appeared to obey the will of the pilot as if
endued with sense and volition, and the men at the lead gave quick and
correct soundings; the consequence was that I had every confidence, and
while the captain and officers sometimes appeared anxious at the
decrease of the depth of water, I was indifferent, and I daresay
appeared to them careless, but such was not the case.

"Quarter less five."

"Quarter less five. Pilot, do you know what water we draw?"

"Yes, Sir James, I do; we shall have _half four_ directly, and after
that the water will deepen."

As it proved exactly as I stated, the captain had after that more
confidence in me. At all events, the frigate was brought safely to an
anchor in the river Medway, and Sir James O'Connor went down to his
cabin, leaving the first lieutenant to moor her, for such were the port
orde