made her run back with a shriek. (I do believe that I burnt her
nose.) I seized my opportunity, and escaped into the street, whirling
the poker round my head, while all the women followed, hooting and
shouting after me. I never stopped running and whirling my poker until
I was reeking with perspiration, and the poker was quite cold. Then I
looked back, and found that I was alone. It was very dark; every house
was shut up, and not a light to be seen anywhere. I stopped at the
corner, not knowing where I was, or what I was to do. I felt very
miserable indeed, and was reflecting on my wisest plan, when who should
turn the corner, but one of the quarter-masters, who had been left on
shore by accident. I knew him by his pea-jacket and straw hat to be one
of our men, and I was delighted to see him. I told him what had
happened, and he replied that he was going to a house where the people
knew him, and would let him in. When we arrived there, the people of
the house were very civil; the landlady made us some purl, which the
quartermaster ordered, and which I thought very good indeed. After we
had finished the jug, we both fell asleep in our chairs. I did not
awaken until I was roused by the quarter-master, at past seven o'clock,
when we took a wherry, and went off to the ship.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

O'BRIEN TAKES ME UNDER HIS PROTECTION--THE SHIP'S COMPANY ARE PAID, SO
ARE THE BUMBOAT-WOMEN, THE JEWS, AND THE EMANCIPATIONIST AFTER A
FASHION--WE GO TO SEA--"DOCTOR" O'BRIEN'S CURE FOR SEA-SICKNESS--ONE
PILL OF THE DOCTOR'S MORE THAN A DOSE.

When we arrived, I reported myself to the first lieutenant, and told him
the whole story of the manner in which I had been treated, showing him
the poker which I brought on board with me. He heard me very patiently,
and then said, "Mr Simple, you maybe the greatest fool of your family
for all I know to the contrary, but never pretend to be a fool with me.
That poker proves the contrary; and if your wit can serve you upon your
own emergency, I expect that it will be employed for the benefit of the
service." He then sent for O'Brien, and gave him a lecture for allowing
me to go with the press-gang, pointing out, what was very true, that I
could have been of no service, and might have met with a serious
accident.

At last the frigate was full manned; and, as we had received drafts of
men from other ships, we were ordered to be paid previously to our going
to sea. The people o