been nearly cut to pieces in many actions, but he was not content. Like
the man under punishment, the drummer might strike high or strike low,
there was no pleasing S--: nothing but the _coup de grace_, if he be now
alive, will satisfy him. But notwithstanding this mania for being
carved, he was an excellent and judicious officer. I have been told he
is since dead; if so, his Majesty has lost one of the most devoted and
chivalric officers in his service, to whom might most justly be applied
the words of Hotspur,--"But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the
most offending soul alive." [See note 1.]

As I before observed, the branches of the trees hung over the sides of
the river, and a circumstance occurred which was a source of great
amusement. We had a little monkey, who had been some time on board, and
was a favourite, as usual, of the ship's company. The baffling winds
very often threw us against the banks of the river, near which there was
plenty of water; and when this was the case, the boughs of the trees
were interlaced with the rigging of the ship. This unusual embracing
between nature and art gave Jacko the idea of old times when he
frolicked in the woods, and unable to resist the force of early
associations, he stepped from the top-sail yard to the branch of a large
tree, and when the ship had hauled off clear, we found that Jacko had
deserted. We lamented it, and ten minutes afterwards, thinking no more
about him, we continued our course up the river. About an hour had
elapsed, during which we had gained upwards of a mile, when again
nearing the bank on that side, we heard a loud chattering and screaming.
"That's Jacko, sir," said one of the men, and others expressed the same
opinion. We manned the jolly-boat, and sent it on shore towards the
place where the noise was heard. The monkey did not wait till the bow
of the boat touched the shore, but springing into it when some feet off,
he took his seat very deliberately on the stern, and was pulled on
board, where immediately he flew up the side, caressing every one he
met. The fact was, that Jacko had found several of his own race in the
woods, but, like all wild animals, they immediately attacked one who had
worn the chains of servitude, and Jacko had to fly for his life. We
very often interlaced the rigging with the boughs after that, but the
monkey remained quiet on the booms, and showed not the slightest wish to
renew his rambles.

I think