mind to be _tarred_ when I came on board, but I had no idea that we
should be _feathered_."

"Support--damn it, there's no supporting this!" cried Captain
Majoribanks. "Where's Major Clavering? I'll ask to dismiss the men."

"They are dismissing a great many little men, forward, I suspect," said
the first-mate, laughing. "I cannot imagine what induced Captain
Oughton to give the order: we never shake bedding except when the ship's
before the wind."

This last very consoling remark made it worse than all; the officers
were in an agony. There was not one of them who would not have stood
the chance of a volley from a French regiment rather than what they
considered that they were exposed to. But without Major Clavering's
permission they could not dismiss their men. Captain Majoribanks
hastened to the cabin, to explain their very un-pleasant situation, and
received the major's permission to defer the exercise.

"Well, gentlemen," said Captain Oughton, "what is the matter?"

"The matter!" replied Ansell. "Why, my flesh creeps all over me. Of
all the thoughtless acts, Captain Oughton, it really beats--"

"Cock-fighting," interrupted the captain, with a loud laugh. "Now we
are quits."

The officers hastened below to wash and change their dress after this
very annoying retaliation on the part of Captain Oughton. When they
felt themselves again clean and comfortable, their good-humour returned,
although they voted their captain not to be very refined in his ideas,
and agreed with him that his practical joke beat "cock-fighting."

I believe there are no classes of people who embark with more regret, or
quit a ship with more pleasure, than military men. Nor is it to be
wondered at, if we consider the antithesis which is presented to their
usual mode of life. Few military men are studious, or inclined to
reading, which is almost the only resource which is to be found against
the tedium of long confinement and daily monotony. I do not say this
reproachfully, as I consider it arises from the peculiarity of their
profession, and must be considered to be more their misfortune than
their fault. They enter upon a military life just after they have left
school, the very period at which, from previous and forced application,
they have been surfeited with books _usque ad nauseam_. The parade,
dress, the attention paid to them, which demands civilities in return;
society, and the preference shown by the fair sex; thei