fatal is to live moderately but
well--not to be afraid, and to avoid exposure to rain and fogs. It is
wiser to soak the clothes in salt water than to allow them to be wet
with fresh and to dry on the back. However, it is very certain that, if
a man does not play tricks with his constitution when he is young, as do
so many young fellows in every variety of way when he is exposed to
similar baneful influences, he will better be able to withstand them.

On the 17th of August we made the Island of Hispaniola. Two days after
that, as I was walking the deck as officer of the watch, the look-out at
the mast-head hailed to say that a sail was in sight. We were then off
Cape Francois.

"Where away?" I asked.

"Right ahead to the westward!" was the answer.

"What does she look like?" inquired the captain, just then coming on
deck.

"An English frigate, sir!" replied the look-out.

She might be, or she might be an enemy's cruiser, for I was aware that
they had already some large ships fitted out. We were, as far as I knew
to the contrary, still at peace with France and Spain. Weak as I was
from the fever, (though I had got over it far more rapidly than I could
have expected), I was so anxious to ascertain, as soon as possible, the
character of the ship in sight, that I went aloft myself to watch her
with my glass. As we drew near each other, Captain Bligh ordered the
drum to beat to quarters, and the ship to be got ready for action. The
nearer we got, the more convinced was I that the look-out was right, and
that the stranger was an English frigate. In a short time she hoisted
English colours, and soon afterwards made the private signal, by which
we knew that she was his Majesty's frigate Minerva. On getting within
hail we hove-to and exchanged civilities, which, as they cost nothing,
are very current coin. We found that she had been out on a cruise for
some time, but, like us, had not made any captures. Her captain was
deploring his ill-luck.

"Better than being taken oneself," remarked Captain Bligh.

"No fear of that," was the answer; "I shall take very good care that no
one--Frenchman, Spaniard or rebel--captures me. As for the two first, I
don't suppose they will ever go to war again with us."

"Don't be too sure of that," said Captain Bligh. "A pleasant cruise to
you, however, and a more fortunate one than we have had. We are bound
back to Jamaica. I hope we shall make a quick passage there."

S