lson to repair to Mahon, and send a
transport, lying there, to procure live bullocks for the fleet. Jack
did not join his ship very willingly, but he had promised the Governor
to remain in the service, and he went on board the evening before she
sailed. He had been living so well that he had, at first, a horror of
midshipman's fare, but a good appetite seasons everything, and Jack soon
complained that there was not enough. He was delighted to see Jolliffe
and Mesty after so long an absence; he laughed at the boatswain's
cheeks, inquired after the purser's steward's shot-holes, shook hands
with Gascoigne and his other mess-mates, gave Vigors a thrashing, and
then sat down to supper.

"Ah, Massa Easy, why you take a cruise without me?" said Mesty; "dat
very shabby--by de power, but I wish I was there; you ab too much
danger, Massa Easy, without Mesty, anyhow."

The next day the _Harpy_ sailed, and Jack went to his duty. Mr Asper
borrowed ten pounds, and our hero kept as much watch as he pleased,
which, as watching did not please him, was very little. Mr Sawbridge
had long conversations with our hero, pointing out to him the necessity
of discipline and obedience in the service, and that there was no such
thing as equality, and that the rights of man secured to every one the
property which he held in possession. "According to your ideas, Mr
Easy, a man has no more right to his wife than anything else, and any
other man may claim her." Jack thought of Agnes, and he made matrimony
an exception, as he continued to argue the point; but although he
argued, still his philosophy was almost upset at the idea of any one
disputing with him the rights of man, with respect to Agnes.

The _Harpy_ made the African coast, the wind continued contrary, and
they were baffled for many days; at last they espied a brig under the
land, about sixteen miles off; her rig and appearance made Captain
Wilson suspect that she was a privateer of some description or another,
but it was calm, and they could not approach her. Nevertheless, Captain
Wilson thought it his duty to examine her; so at ten o'clock at night
the boats were hoisted out: as this was merely intended for a
reconnoitre, for there was no saying what she might be, Mr Sawbridge
did not go. Mr Asper was on the sick-list, so Mr Smallsole the master
had the command of the expedition. Jack asked Mr Sawbridge to let him
have charge of one of the boats. Mr Jolliffe and Mr Vigors wen