report himself to the port admiral, and deliver his despatches. When
the boat returned, it brought off letters which had been waiting the
arrival of the ship. One informed Jerry of the death of his father, and
of his being in possession of a fortune which enabled him to retire from
the service. Another, from the Admiralty, announced the promotion of
Stewart to the rank of lieutenant; and one from McElvina to our hero,
inviting him to take up his quarters at his house, as long as the
service would permit, stating that Captain M--- had been written to, to
request that he might be allowed leave of absence.

As soon as Captain M--- had received an answer from the Admiralty, he
returned on board, and acquainted his officers that he had obtained
leave to remain on shore for some time, for the re-establishment of his
health, and that another captain would be appointed to the ship. He
turned the hands up, and addressed the ship's company, thanking them for
their good behaviour while under his command, and expressing his hopes,
that upon his reappointment he should find them all alive and well. The
first-lieutenant, to his great surprise and delight, was presented with
his rank as commander, which Captain M--- had solicited from the
Admiralty. The men were dismissed, and Captain M---, bidding farewell
to his officers, descended the side and shoved off. As soon as the boat
was clear of the frigate, the men, without orders, ran up, and manning
the shrouds, saluted him with three farewell cheers. Captain M--- took
off his hat to the compliment, and, muffling up his face with his
boat-cloak to conceal his emotion, the boat pulled for the shore.

Seymour, who was in the boat, followed his captain to the inn: who
informed him, that he had obtained his discharge into a guard-ship, that
his time might go on, and leave of absence for two months, which he
might spend with his friend McElvina. Captain M--- then dismissed him
with a friendly shake of the hand, desiring him to write frequently, and
to draw upon his agent if he required any pecuniary assistance.

Seymour's heart was full, and he could not answer his kind protector.
He returned on board, and bidding farewell to his messmates, the next
evening he had arrived at the cottage of McElvina. That his reception
was cordial, it is hardly necessary to state. McElvina, whose marriage
had not been blessed with a family, felt towards our hero as if he was
his own child; and S