ay. That night we went to the theatre, and saw
a play performed written by Shakspeare, in the time of Queen
Elizabeth, and called the "Merry Wives of Windsor." We were much
pleased with the character _Falstaff_, a fat knight, full of humour.
The next day, at the time appointed, I called upon the head clerk, who
told me that every thing was arranged according to my wishes; that the
hiring of the vessel was according to her tonnage; and he considered
that the price offered by the government was fair and liberal; so did
I, and immediately accepted it. He then drew from his desk the
articles of agreement between the government and the owner of the
vessel, and at the same time, the warrants for Captain Levee and
Philip, to act as commander and lieutenant.

"Now, Mr. Musgrave, all you have to do is to sign the first paper, and
fulfil the other portion of our agreement."

I immediately pulled out the bag of money which I had brought with me,
and after counting it over, the clerk gave me his pen to sign the
document, and handed to me the warrants for Philip and Captain Levee.

"You have behaved liberally in this affair, Mr. Musgrave," said the
gentleman, as he locked up the bag of money in his desk; "if at any
time I can be of use to you, you may command me."

"I thank you, Sir," replied I, "I may by-and-by have to ask you to
exert your influence in behalf of my brother, that he may obtain the
command of one of the king's ships, and if you can help me, I shall be
most grateful."

"Depend upon it I will," replied he, "and I beg you will use no
ceremony on making the application."

He then shook hands with me, and I went home. Dinner was over when I
came back, but the hostess had put away some victuals for me, and
while I was eating them, I gave them an account of my success, handing
their warrants to Captain Levee and Philip. They could hardly credit
me, even when the documents were in their hands, but pledging them to
secrecy, I told them by what means I had been so successful. Whereupon
they thanked me, and we then went out to procure the uniforms suitable
to their respective ranks, and this occupied us till the evening, when
we agreed to go to the cockpit and see the fights between the various
animals, with which Philip particularly was much delighted. As we had
nothing to detain us in London, and it was necessary that the Arrow
should immediately run round to the Nore, we determined, as the
uniforms were to be ready o