recollecting the curious figure he cut. His own officers turned
from him, disgusted at what they supposed his pusillanimity and his
desertion of them and his men; while the naval officers only laughed at
his unusual and somewhat absurd costume. He was followed by his two
daughters, Mrs Major Bubsby bringing up the rear, though it might have
been wiser in her to have led the van. Her curious appearance did not
lessen the merriment of those who had not before seen her, and those of
the crew who were standing near in no way attempted to restrain their
laughter.

"What's it all about?" asked the major, in an indignant tone. He was
too acute not to perceive the effect his conduct had produced on his own
officers, but he determined to brazen it out. "You think I deserted
you, gentlemen," he said. "You are much mistaken. I was the victim of
affection. My beloved wife and daughters kept me an unwilling prisoner.
I put it to you, gentlemen, how would you have behaved under similar
circumstances? I made the most strenuous efforts to regain the deck,
but these two dear girls of mine clung to me with frantic energy, and
Mrs Bubsby held me down by main force."

"I did, I own it," exclaimed Mrs Bubsby, who, now the danger was over,
saw the dubious position in which her husband was placed. "My deep
affection overcame every other consideration, and all I thought of was
the safety of my beloved husband. My daughters were animated by the
same spirit."

"Yes, we are. We thought that you would all be burnt, or blown up, or
go to the bottom, and poor dear Lieutenant Blewitt into the bargain; and
we could not endure the thoughts of losing our papa, so we held him
tight, though he is as brave and strong as a lion. It was a very
difficult thing to keep him down, I can assure you;" and Angelica burst
into tears.

Whether or not they produced any effect on the hard hearts of the
captains and subalterns of the regiment it is impossible to say.

"I should advise you, major, and Mrs Bubsby to go below and turn in, or
change your dress, which is not quite becoming the deck of a man-of-war,
and I hope your daughters will follow your example," observed Jack, who
thought that matters were proceeding too far.

It was impossible to stop the shouts of laughter which escaped the
ship's company as, one after another, they managed to get a look at the
curious group.

"I will take your advice, Captain Rogers," answered the major, and he,