t recommendation that she should be
turned over to the navy and given to Smellie with the rank of commander,
it now became necessary to appoint an acting first lieutenant to the
_Daphne_. A few words of commendation to Armitage then followed, and he
was presented with an acting order.

The skipper then turned to me.

"It next becomes necessary to appoint an acting second lieutenant," said
he, "and after giving the subject my most serious attention, I have
determined, Hawkesley, to appoint _you_. Nay, no thanks, young
gentleman; you will discover before many hours have passed over your
head that you have very little to be thankful for. You will exchange
your present easy and irresponsible position for one of very grave and
unceasing responsibility; the safety of the ship and of all hands will
daily, during your watch, be confided to your care, and many other
onerous duties will devolve upon you, every one of which will demand
your most unceasing attention and your utmost skill in their proper
discharge. Henceforward you will have time to think of nothing but
_duty_, duty must wholly engage your thoughts by day, ay, and your very
dreams by night; it is no post of mere empty honour which I am about to
confer upon you. But, as I once before remarked to you, I have had my
eye upon you ever since you came on board the ship, and, young as you
are, and short as has been your term of probation, I have sufficient
confidence in you to believe that you will do credit to my judgment. I
presume, of course, that it is unnecessary to point out to you that this
appointment can be only _temporary_; the _Virginia_ will doubtless bring
back with her from Sierra Leone officers of the admiral's appointment to
fill the posts of second and third lieutenant; but if, as I have no
doubt, you discharge your temporary duties with anything like the
ability I anticipate, your promotion, upon the completion of your time,
will be sure and rapid."

So saying, the skipper extended his hand to me and gave mine a hearty
shake, Smellie and Armitage following his example and offering me their
congratulations.

It being, by this time, rather late, Smellie shortly afterwards rose,
and bidding adieu at the gangway to his old shipmates, repaired on board
his new command, which was under orders to sail next morning at
daybreak.

As for me, I went off to the midshipmen's berth, which, through Keene,
Woods, and Williams, the master's mate, being drafted