he next morning there was nothing of the gale left
except the dire effects which it had produced, the black and riven stump
of the foremost still holding up a terrific warning of the power and
fury of the elements.

Three days more, and the _Aurora_ joined the Toulon fleet. When she was
first seen it was imagined by those on board of the other ships that she
had been in action; but they soon learned that the conflict had been
against more direful weapons than any yet invented by mortal hands.
Captain Wilson waited upon the admiral, and of course received immediate
orders to repair to port and refit. In a few hours the _Aurora_ had
shaped her course for Malta, and by sunset the Toulon fleet were no
longer in sight.

"By de holy poker, Massa Easy, but that terrible sort of gale the other
day anyhow--I tink one time we all go to Davy Joney's lacker."

"Very true, Mesty; I hope never to meet with such another."

"Den, Massa Easy, why you go to sea? When man ab no money, noting to
eat, den he go to sea, but everybody say you ab plenty money--why you
come to sea?"

"I'm sure I don't know," replied Jack thoughtfully; "I came to sea on
account of equality and the rights of man."

"Eh, Massa Easy, you come to wrong place anyhow; now I tink a good deal
lately, and by all de power, I tink equality all stuff."

"All stuff, Mesty, why? you used to think otherwise."

"Yes, Massa Easy, but den I boil de kettle for all young gentleman. Now
dat I ship's corporal and hab cane, I tink so no longer."

Jack made no reply, but he thought the more. The reader must have
perceived that Jack's notions of equality were rapidly disappearing; he
defended them more from habit, and perhaps a wilfulness which would not
allow him to acknowledge himself wrong; to which may be added his love
of argument. Already he had accustomed himself to obedience to his
superiors, and, notwithstanding his arguments, he would admit of no
resistance from those below him; not that it was hardly ever attempted,
for Jack was anything but a tyrant, and was much beloved by all in the
ship. Every day brought its lesson, and Captain Wilson was now
satisfied that Jack had been almost cured of the effects of his father's
ridiculous philosophy.

After a few minutes, Mesty tapped his cane on the funnel, and
recommenced.

"Then why you stay at sea, Massa Easy?"

"I don't know, Mesty; I don't dislike it."

"But, Massa Easy, why you stay in midshipman berth--e