t in
the pinnace with the master. The gunner had the charge of one cutter,
and our hero had the command of the other. Jack, although not much more
than seventeen, was very strong and tall for his age; indeed, he was a
man grown, and shaved twice a week. His only object in going was to
have a yarn for the Governor when he returned to Malta. Mesty went with
him, and, as the boat shoved off, Gascoigne slipped in, telling Jack
that he was come to take care of him, for which considerate kindness
Jack expressed his warmest thanks. The orders to the master were very
explicit; he was to reconnoitre the vessel, and if she proved heavily
armed not to attack, for she was embayed, and could not escape the
_Harpy_ as soon as there was wind. If not armed he was to board her,
but he was to do nothing till the morning: the reason for sending the
boats away so soon was, that the men might not suffer from the heat of
the sun during the day-time, which was excessive, and had already put
many men on the sick-list. The boats were to pull to the bottom of the
bay, not to go so near as to be discovered, and then drop their grapnels
till daylight. The orders were given to Mr Smallsole in presence of,
the other officers who were appointed to the boats, that there might be
no mistake, and the boats then shoved off. After a three hours' pull,
they arrived to where the brig lay becalmed, and as they saw no lights
moving on board, they supposed they were not seen. They dropped their
grapnels in about seven fathoms water and waited for daylight. When
Jack heard Captain Wilson's orders that they were to lie at anchor till
daylight he had sent down Mesty for fishing-lines, as fresh fish is
always agreeable in a midshipman's berth: he and Gascoigne amused
themselves this way, and as they pulled up the fish they entered into an
argument, and Mr Smallsole ordered them to be silent. The point which
they discussed was relative to boat service; Gascoigne insisted that the
boats should all board at once--while our hero took it into his head
that it was better they should come up one after another; a novel idea,
but Jack's ideas on most points were singular.

"If you throw your whole force upon the decks at once, you overpower
them," observed Gascoigne; "if you do not, you are beaten in detail."

"Very true," replied Jack, "supposing that you have an overpowering
force, or they are not prepared; but recollect, that if they are, the
case is altere