d out at daylight, and I
had notice given me that I was to go away in her. About nine o'clock
the next morning, I was sent for into the cabin; his lordship was still
in bed, and the green silk curtains were drawn close round his cot.

"Mr Thingamy," said his lordship, "you will take the what's-his-name,
you know."

"Yes, my lord," said I.

"And you will go to that town, and ask for my thingumbob."

"For your gig, my lord?" said I.

"Yes--that's all."

"But, my lord, suppose they won't give it to me?"

"Then take it."

"Suppose the gig is not there, my lord; and if there, suppose they
refuse to give it up?"

"Then take every vessel out of the harbour."

"Very well, my lord.--Am I to put the gun in the boat--or to take
muskets only?"

"Oh, no--no arms--take a flag of truce--Number 8 (white flag) will do."

"Suppose they will not accept the flag of truce, my lord?"

"Oh, but they will: they always respect a flag of truce, you know."

"I beg your lordship's pardon, but I think a few muskets in the boat
would be of service."

"No, no, no--no arms! You will be fighting about nothing. You have
your orders, sir."

"Yes," thinks I, "I have. If I succeed, I am a robber; if I fail, I am
liable to be hanged on the first tree."

I left the cabin, and went to the first lieutenant. I told him what my
orders were. This officer was, as I before observed, a man who had no
friends, and was therefore entirely dependent on the captain for his
promotion, and was afraid to act contrary to his lordship's orders,
however absurd. I told him that, whatever might be the captain's
orders, I would not go without arms.

"The orders of his lordship must be obeyed," said the lieutenant.

"Why," said I, irritated at this folly, "you are as clever a fellow as
the skipper."

This he considered so great an affront, that he ran down to his cabin,
saying, "You shall hear from me again for this, sir."

I concluded that he meant to try me by a court-martial, to which I had
certainly laid myself open by this unguarded expression; but I went on
the quarter-deck, and, during his absence, got as many muskets into the
boat as I wanted, with a proper proportion of ammunition. This was
hardly completed, before the lieutenant came up again, and put a letter
into my hands; which was no more than the very comfortable intelligence,
that, on my return from the expedition on which I was then going, he
should expect satisfaction for the a