rona,
which proved to be the case. About ten o'clock, the wind died away, and
we had from that time such baffling light winds, that it was six days
before we dropped our anchor, every vessel of the convoy having arrived
before us.

CHAPTER FIFTY NINE.

THE DEAD MAN ATTENDS AT THE AUCTION OF HIS OWN EFFECTS, AND BIDS THE
SALE TO STOP--ONE MORE THAN WAS WANTED--PETER STEPS INTO HIS OWN SHOES
AGAIN--CAPTAIN HAWKINS TAKES A FRIENDLY INTEREST IN PETER'S PAPERS--RIGA
BALSAM STERNLY REFUSED TO BE ADMITTED FOR THE RELIEF OF THE SHIP'S
COMPANY.

As soon as the sails were furled, I thanked the master of the vessel for
his kindness, and requested the boat. He ordered it to be manned,
saying, "How glad your captain will be to see you!" I doubted that. We
shook hands, and I pulled to the _Rattlesnake_, which lay about two
cables' length astern of us. I had put on a jacket, when I left the
brig on service, and coming in a merchantman's boat, no attention was
paid to me; indeed, owing to circumstances, no one was on the look-out,
and I ascended the side unperceived.

The men and officers were on the quarter-deck, attending the sale of
dead men's effects before the mast, and every eye was fixed upon six
pairs of nankeen trowsers exposed by the purser's steward, which I
recognised as my own. "Nine shillings for six pairs of nankeen
trowsers," cried the purser's steward.

"Come, my men, they're worth more than that," observed the captain, who
appeared to be very facetious. "It's better to be in his trowsers than
in his shoes." This brutal remark created a silence for a moment.
"Well, then, steward, let them go. One would think that pulling on his
trowsers would make you as afraid as he was," continued the captain
laughing.

"Shame!" was cried out by one or two of the officers, and I recognised
Swinburne's voice as one.

"More likely if they put on yours," cried I, in a loud indignant tone.

Everybody started, and turned round; Captain Hawkins staggered to a
carronade: "I beg to report myself as having rejoined my ship, sir,"
continued I.

"Hurrah, my lads! three cheers for Mr Simple," said Swinburne.

The men gave them with emphasis. The captain looked at me, and without
saying a word, hastily retreated to his cabin. I perceived, as he went
down, that he had his arm in a sling. I thanked the men for their kind
feeling towards me, shook hands with Thompson and Webster, who warmly
congratulated me, and then wi