quired the price, I found that they cost more money than I had
in my pocket, so I tore up the letter I had written to my mother before
the duel, and wrote another asking for a remittance to purchase my dirk
and cocked-hat. I then walked out in my uniform, not a little proud, I
must confess.

I had arrived opposite a place called Sally Port, when a young lady very
nicely dressed, looked at me very hard and said, "Well, Reefer, how are
you off for soap?" I was astonished at the question, and more so at the
interest which she seemed to take in my affairs. I answered, "Thank
you, I am very well off; I have four cakes of Windsor, and two bars of
yellow for washing." She laughed at my reply, and asked me whether I
would walk home and take a bit of dinner with her. I was astonished at
this polite offer, and I said that I should be most happy. I thought I
might venture to offer my arm, which she accepted, and we proceeded up
High Street on our way to her home.

Just as we passed the admiral's house, I perceived my captain walking
with two of the admiral's daughters. I was not a little proud to let
him see that I had female acquaintances as well as he had, and, as I
passed him with the young lady under my protection, I took off my hat,
and made him a low bow. To my surprise, not only did he not return the
salute, but he looked at me with a very stern countenance. I concluded
that he was a very proud man, and did not wish the admiral's daughters
to suppose that he knew midshipmen by sight; but I had not exactly made
up my mind on the subject, when the captain, having seen the ladies into
the admiral's house, sent one of the messengers after me to desire that
I would immediately come to him at the George Inn, which was nearly
opposite.

I apologised to the young lady, and promised to return immediately if
she would wait for me; but she replied, if that was my captain, it was
her idea that I should have a confounded wigging and be sent on board.
So, wishing me good-bye, she left me and continued her way home. I
could as little comprehend all this as why the captain looked so black
when I passed him; but it was soon explained when I went up to him in
the parlour at the George Inn. "I am sorry, Mr Simple," said the
captain, when I entered, "that a lad like you should show such early
symptoms of depravity; still more so, that he should not have the grace
which even the most hardened are not wholly destitute of--I mean to