ss they offered something more; and
then, with the express stipulation that I should not take arms against
my own country. They then waited for a week, when they offered to make
me a _Count_ and give me the command of the frigate. This suited me, as
you may suppose, Peter; it was the darling wish of my heart--I was to be
made a gentleman. I consented, and was made Count Shucksen, and had a
fine large frigate under my command. I then set to work with a will,
superintended the fitting out of the whole fleet, and showed them what
an Englishman could do. We sailed, and you of course know the brush we
had with the Russians, which I must say did us no discredit. I was
fortunate to distinguish myself, for I exchanged several broadsides with
a Russian two-decked ship, and came off with honour. When we went into
port I got this riband. I was out afterwards, and fell in with a
Russian frigate, and captured her, for which I received this other
riband. Since that I have been in high favour, and now that I speak the
languages, I like the people very much. I am often at court when I am
in harbour; and, Peter, I am _married_."

"I wish you joy, count, with all my heart."

"Yes, and well married, too--to a Swedish countess of very high family
and I expect that I have a little boy or girl by this time. So you
observe, Peter, that I am at last a gentleman, and, what is more, my
children will be noble by two descents. Who would have thought that
this would have been occasioned by my throwing the captain's jacket into
the boat instead of my own? And now, my dear Mr Simple, that I have
made you my confidant, I need not say, do not say a word about it to
anybody."

"My dear count," replied I, "your secret is safe with me, and my
pleasure is very great."

I then, in a few words, stated where O'Brien was; and then we parted, I
went with him on deck, Count Shucksen taking my arm, and introducing me
as an old shipmate to his officers, "I hope we may meet again," said I,
"but I'm afraid there is little chance."

"Who knows?" replied he; "see what chance has done for me. My dear
Peter, God bless you! You are one of the very few whom I always loved.
God bless you, my boy! and never forget that all I have is at your
command if you come my way."

I thanked him, and, saluting the officers, went down the side. As I
expected, when I came on board, the captain demanded, in an angry tone,
why I had stayed so long. I replied that I