ter. I bowed respectfully to the court,
which immediately adjourned. Captain Hawkins followed the captains on
the quarter-deck, but none of them would speak to him--so much to his
disadvantage had come out during the trial.

About ten minutes afterwards, one of the elder captains composing the
court called me into the cabin. "Mr Simple," said he, "we are all very
sorry for you. Our sentence could not be more lenient, under the
circumstances: it was that conversation with the gunner at the taffrail
which floored you. It must be a warning to you to be more careful in
future, how you permit any one to speak of the conduct of your superiors
on the quarter-deck. I am desired by the president to let you know that
it is our intention to express ourselves very strongly to the admiral in
your behalf; so much so, that if another captain applies for you, you
will have no difficulty in being appointed to a ship; and as for leaving
your present ship, under any other circumstances I should consider it a
matter of congratulation."

I returned my sincere thanks, and soon afterwards quitted the
guard-ship, and went on board of the brig to pack up my clothes, and
take leave of my messmates. On my arrival, I found that Captain Hawkins
had preceded me, and he was on deck when I came up the side. I hastened
down into the gun-room, where I received the condolements of my
messmates.

"Simple, I wish you joy," cried Thompson, loud enough for the captain to
hear on deck. "I wish I had your luck; I wish somebody would try me by a
court-martial."

"As it has turned out," replied I, in a loud voice, "and after the
communication made to me by the captains composing the court, of what
they intend to say to the Admiralty, I agree with you, Thompson, that it
is a very kind act on the part of Captain Hawkins, and I feel quite
grateful to them."

"Steward, come--glasses," cried Thompson, "and let us drink success to
Mr Simple."

All this was very annoying to Captain Hawkins, who overheard every word.
When our glasses were filled--"Simple, your good health, and may I meet
with as good a messmate," said Thompson.

At this moment, the sergeant of marines put his head in at the gun-room
door, and said, in a most insolent tone, that I was to leave the ship
immediately. I was so irritated, that I threw my glass of grog in his
face, and he ran up to the captain to make the complaint; but I did not
belong to the ship, and even if I had, I would have re