turned the old tar, drawing nearer to
the person of his captain, under an impulse of strong curiosity; "though
crone presume to be acquainted with the particulars. I am not one of those
who ask impertinent questions, more especially under Her Majesty's
pennant; for the worst enemy I have will not say I am very womanish. One
would think, however, that there was neat work on board a craft that is so
prettily moulded about her water-lines?"

"She is perfect as to construction, and admirable in gear."

"I thought as much, by instinct! Her commander need not, however, be any
the more sure of keeping her off the rocks, on that account. The prettiest
young woman in our parish was wrecked, as one might say, on the shoals of
her own good looks, having cruised once too often in the company of the
squire's son. A comely wench she was, though she luffed athwart all her
old companions, when the young lord of the manor fell into her wake. Well,
she did bravely enough, Sir, as long as she could carry her flying kites,
and make a fair wind of it; but when the squall of which I spoke, overtook
her, what could she do but keep away before it?--and as others, who are
snugger in their morals hove-to as it were, under the storm-sails of
religion and such matters as they had picked up in the catechism, she
drifted to leeward of all honest society! A neatly-built and clean-heeled
hussy was that girl; and I am not certain, by any means, that Mrs. Trysail
would this day call herself the lady of a Queen's officer, had the other
known how to carry sail in the company of her betters."

The worthy master drew a long breath, which possibly was a nautical sigh,
but which certainly had more of the north wind than of the zephyr in its
breathing; and he had recourse to the little box of iron, whence he
usually drew consolation.

"I have heard of this accident before;" returned Ludlow, who had sailed as
a midshipman in the same vessel with, and indeed as a subordinate to, his
present inferior. "But, from all accounts, you have little reason to
regret the change, as I hear the best character of your present worthy
partner."

"No doubt, Sir, no doubt.--I defy any man in the ship to say that I am a
backbiter, even against my wife, with whom I have a sort of lawful right
to deal candidly. I make no complaints, and am a happy man at sea, and I
piously hope Mrs. Trysail knows how to submit to her duty at home.--I
suppose you see, Sir, that the chase has hau