ing her to use it as her own.
We consulted as to what she should do if my father should die, and
agreed that all his debts, which we knew to amount to three or four
hundred pounds, should be paid, and that she should manage how she could
upon what was left of my father's property, and the interest of my
prize-money.

CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR.

WE RECEIVE OUR SAILING ORDERS, AND ORDERS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION--A
QUARTER-DECK CONVERSATION--LISTENERS NEVER HEAR ANY GOOD OF THEMSELVES.

When I arrived at Portsmouth, I reported myself to the captain, who
lived at the hotel. I was ushered into his room to wait for him, as he
was dressing to dine with the admiral. My eyes naturally turned to what
lay on the table, merely from the feeling which one has to pass away the
time, not from curiosity; and I was much surprised to see a pile of
letters the uppermost of which was franked by Lord Privilege. This,
however, might be merely accidental; but my curiosity was excited, and I
lifted up the letter, and found that the second, the third, and indeed
at least ten of them were franked by my uncle. I could not imagine how
there could be any intimacy between him and my uncle, and was reflecting
upon it when Captain Hawkins, for that was his name, entered the room.
He was very kind and civil, apologised for not being able to extend my
leave, which, he said, was because he had consulted the admiral, who
would not sanction the absence of the first lieutenant, and had very
peremptorily desired he would recall me immediately. I was satisfied:
he shook my hand, and we parted. On, my arrival on board the hulk, for
the brig was still in dock, I was warmly received by my messmates. They
told me that the captain had, generally speaking, been very civil, but
that, occasionally, the marks of the cloven foot appeared.

"Webster," said I to the second lieutenant, "do you know anything about
his family or connections?"

"It is a question I have asked of those who have sailed with him, and
they all say that he never speaks of his own family, but very often
boasts of his intimacy with the nobility. Some say that he is a
_bye-blow_ of some great man."

I reflected very much upon this, and connecting it with the numerous
franks of Lord Privilege which I saw on the table, had my misgivings;
but then I knew that I could do my duty, and had no reason to fear any
man. I resolved, in my own mind, to be very correct, and put it out of
the power of any