view
such an exploit as mine. I had known of his having disrated more than
one luckless mid for a far less heinous offence than so serious a breach
of discipline as that of which I had been guilty; and disrating was the
one thing which presented itself to me as more objectionable than
anything else in the shape of punishment--except flogging; but I built
my hopes upon the skipper's good offices; and the result showed that I
had no grounds for fear.

On entering, I was invited to take a chair which Lord Hood pointed out,
and then, waiting until the cabin-door was shut, he rested his elbows on
the table, and supporting his chin upon his hands, looked across at me
and said--

"Your captain informs me, young gentleman, that, understanding I was
anxious to obtain information respecting the condition of the enemy in
Bastia, you voluntarily undertook a most hazardous journey thither, and
were enabled, during your stay in the town, to make observations of
considerable value. I should like to hear from your own lips a detailed
narrative of the adventure."

Thus commanded, I once more told my story, Lord Hood interrupting me
from time to time to jot down memoranda in his note-book. When I had
concluded my narration the admiral thanked me heartily for the "very
important service" which I had rendered, and I was also complimented by
my audience upon "the skill and intrepidity" with which I had carried
out the reconnoissance. Taking these last remarks as a polite
intimation that the interview was at an end, I bowed and withdrew. A
few minutes afterwards the admiral's boat was ordered, and as soon as
she was manned, Lord Hood, Sir Hyde Parker, and the skipper got into
her, and pulled away for the British lines on shore--Captain Hood
directing me, as he passed down the side, to take his gig back to the
frigate.

On the following day a flag of truce was sent into the town negotiations
were opened, and on the 22nd of May, 1794, the garrison capitulated on
very favourable terms to themselves.

From this date I find nothing in my diary worthy of remark until we come
to the reduction of Calvi on the 10th of August following. I was at the
time recovering from an attack of low fever, and had been off duty for
some four or five weeks.

On the evening of the capture I was walking slowly up and down the poop,
when Captain Hood came up the poop-ladder and very kindly inquired after
my health. I replied that I was getting rapidly s