ble lads,
and in other respects were about on a par with the average run of
midshipmen. The master's-mate, Mr Percival, was berthed with us. He
was a fine, gentlemanly, young fellow of about eighteen years of age,
with great ability and intense application, bidding fair to achieve
eventually a reputation equal to that of his chief, for whom he
entertained a profound admiration.

And now, having introduced my fellow-officers, let me say what it is
necessary to say respecting the ship.

The "Juno" was one of the old class of frigates, of which, however, she
happened to be an extremely favourable specimen. She was very strong,
being oak-built throughout, and copper fastened; her timbers being of
the most solid description, and exceptionally heavy scantling. She came
to us with the unenviable reputation of being a poor sailer, though she
was a very _good_ model, particularly under water; but Mr Annesley paid
her a visit while in the dry dock, and attentively studied her lines,
having done which he determined to alter her trim altogether, putting
her nine inches deeper down in the water aft, and reducing her ballast
to the extent of twenty tons. The result answered his most sanguine
expectations; for while she still stood up well under her canvas, she
was steadier in a sea-way, lighter and drier forward, paid off quicker
in stays, and though still scarcely a clipper, her rate of sailing had
considerably improved. Her accommodations were somewhat cramped, as
compared with the newer and larger class of frigates; but as far as I
was concerned, coming into her from the little "Scourge," there seemed
to be a positive superabundance of room. She mounted thirty-two long
twelves, and mustered a crew of 190 men.

It had been my intention to act upon Sir Peregrine's suggestion, and ask
for a day or two's leave to run home and see my friends once more,
before finally quitting Old England upon a cruise of unknown duration;
but we had been so excessively busy that I really had not the conscience
to make such a request; and now that the ship was finally ataunto, it
appeared that we were to proceed to sea forthwith. I was therefore
obliged to content myself with writing them a long letter, to which I
put the finishing touches while we were waiting for the captain, Mr
Annesley having kept a shore-boat alongside to take ashore a few letters
which he had hastily scribbled after the completion of the preparations
for unmooring, and