e the
train was well laid. The next thing to do was to watch the Spanish
ambassador's house, and see if he sent away any despatches. Two days
after the letters had been taken to him by this rascal of a clerk, the
Spanish ambassador sent away two messengers, one for Cadiz, and the
other for Madrid, which is the town where the King of Spain lives. The
one to Cadiz was permitted to go, but the one to Madrid was stopped by
the directions of the admiral, and this job was confided to the
commissioner, Sir Isaac, who settled it some how or another; and this
was the reason why the admiral called out to him, `I say, Sir Isaac, who
killed the messenger?' They brought back his despatches, by which they
found out that advice had been sent to the Spanish admiral--I forget his
name, something like Magazine--informing him of the supposed crippled
state of our squadron. Sir John, taking it for granted that the
Spaniards would not lose an opportunity of taking six sail of the line--
more English ships than they had ever taken in their lives--waited a few
days to give them time, and then sailed from Lisbon for Cape St.
Vincent, where he joined Sir W. Parker, and fell in with the Spaniards
sure enough, and a pretty drubbing we gave them. Now, it's not
everybody that could tell you all that, Mr Simple."

"Well, but now for the action, Swinburne."

"Lord bless you, Mr Simple! it's now past seven bells, and I can't
fight the battle of St. Vincent in half-an-hour; besides which, it's
well worth another glass of grog to hear all about that battle."

"Well, you shall have one, Swinburne; only don't forget to tell it to,
me."

Swinburne and I then separated, and in less than an hour afterwards I
was dreaming of despatches--Sir John Jervis--Sir Isaac Coffin--and
Spanish messengers.

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.

O'BRIEN'S GOOD ADVICE--CAPTAIN KEARNEY AGAIN DEALS IN THE MARVELLOUS.

I do not remember any circumstance in my life which, at that time, lay
so heavily on my mind, as the loss of poor Mr Chucks, the boatswain,
whom, of course, I took it for granted I should never see again. I
believe that the chief cause was, that at the time I entered the
service, and every one considered me to be the fool of the family, Mr
Chucks and O'Brien were the only two who thought of and treated me
differently; and it was their conduct which induced me to apply myself,
and encouraged me to exertion. I believe, that many a boy, who, if
properly patro