mental derangement, "I am a sailor, am I not?"

"Certainly, captain," was the prompt acquiescence of the mate.

"I do not know how it is," continued the captain, "but I seem
bewildered; I cannot recollect anything. Are we not bound for Liverpool?
Ah! yes! of course. And have we kept a north-easterly direction since we
left?"

"No, sir, according to your orders we have been sailing south-east, and
here we are in the tropics."

"And what is the name of the ship?"

"The 'Chancellor,' sir."

"Yes, yes, the 'Chancellor,' so it is. Well, Curtis, I really can't take
her back to the north. I hate the sea, the very sight of it makes me
ill, I would much rather not leave my cabin."

Curtis went on to tell me how he had tried to persuade him that with a
little time and care he would soon recover his indisposition, and feel
himself again; but the captain had interrupted him by saying,--

"Well, well; we shall see by-and-by; but for the present you must take
this for my positive order; you must, from this time, at once take
the command of the ship, and act just as if I were not on board. Under
present circumstances, I can do nothing. My brain is all in a whirl, you
cannot tell what I am suffering;" and the unfortunate man pressed both
his hands convulsively against his forehead.

"I weighed the matter carefully for a moment," added Curtis, "and seeing
what his condition too truly was, I acquiesced in all that he required
and withdrew, promising him that all his orders should be obeyed."

After hearing these particulars, I could not help remarking how
fortunate it was that the captain had resigned of his own accord, for
although he might not be actually insane, it was very evident that his
brain was in a very morbid condition.

"I succeed him at a very critical moment;" said Curtis thoughtfully;
"but I shall endeavour to do my duty."

A short time afterwards he sent for the boatswain, and ordered him to
assemble the crew at the foot of the main-mast. As soon as the men were
together, he addressed them very calmly, but very firmly.

"My men," he said, "I have to tell you that Captain Huntly, on account
of the dangerous situation in which circumstances have placed us, and
for other reasons known to myself, has thought right to resign his
command to me. From this time forward, I am captain of this vessel."

Thus quietly and simply the change was effected, and we have the
satisfaction of knowing that the "Chancellor" is