old a candle_ to him. It a'n't that I
might not stretch now and again, just for fun, as far as he can, but,
damn it, he's always on the stretch. In fact, Mr Simple, he never
tells the truth except _by mistake_. He's as poor as a rat, and has
nothing but his pay; yet to believe him, he is worth at least as much as
Greenwich Hospital. But you'll soon find him out, and he'll sarve to
laugh at behind his back, you know, Mr Simple, for that's _no go_
before his face."

Captain Kearney made his appearance on board the next day. The men were
mustered to receive him, and all the officers were on the quarter-deck
"You've a fine set of marines here, Captain Falcon," observed he; "those
I left on board of the _Minerve_ were only fit to be _hung_; and you
have a good show of reefers too--those I left in the _Minerve_ were not
_worth hanging_. If you please, I'll read my commission if you'll order
the men aft." His commission was read, all hands with their hats off
from respect to the authority from which it proceeded. "Now, my lads,"
said Captain Kearney, addressing the ship's company, "I've but a few
words to say to you. I am appointed to command this ship, and you
appear to have a very good character from your late first lieutenant.
All I request of you is this: be smart, keep sober, and always _tell the
truth_--that's enough. Pipe down. Gentlemen," continued he, addressing
the officers, "I trust that we shall be good friends; and I see no
reason that it should be otherwise." He then turned away with a bow,
and called his coxswain--"William, you'll go on board and tell my
steward that I have promised to dine with the governor to-day, and that
he must come to dress me; and, coxswain, recollect to put the sheepskin
mat on the stern gratings of my gig--not the one I used to have when I
was on shore in my _carriage_, but the blue one which was used for the
_chariot--you_ know which I mean." I happened to look Swinburne in the
face, who cocked his eye at me, as much as to say--"There he goes." We
afterwards met the officers of the _Minerve_, who corroborated all that
Swinburne had said, although it was quite unnecessary, as we had the
captain's own words every minute to satisfy us of the fact.

Dinner parties were now very numerous, and the hospitality of the island
is but too well known. The invitations extended to the midshipmen, and
many was the good dinner and kind reception which I had during my stay.
There was, h