big guns and small arms. Then, by turns, we would
put on the submarine armour and practise at diving in thirty feet of
water. On Saturdays and Sundays we had a rest. Five days' drilling in a
week was sufficient. When a man-of-war was ready for sea an order would
be sent to the Excellent for the same number of seamen gunners as the
ship had guns. Then we would rank as Captains of the Guns and receive
pay as petty officers. For instance, a frigate of forty guns was ready
for sea; forty men from the Excellent would be sent on board. As soon as
the frigate returned from a cruise the forty men would be sent back to
continue their practice in gunnery. At three of the afternoon, every
day, three divisions were at liberty to go on shore and remain until
half-past seven the next morning.

I at once rented a nicely furnished room for light housekeeping for one
half crown a week. Then I sent for Jennie. On her arrival, everything
was made pleasant and comfortable. I would be at home three nights out
of every four. Saturdays I would be at liberty at eleven o'clock in the
morning until Monday morning. My wife would draw one half my pay every
month, one quarter pay was given to me in cash monthly, and the other
quarter I could draw in clothing and other necessaries. I needed all my
pay, and it required sharp practice to get it. I could get one pound of
tobacco monthly. That cost one shilling, government price. I sold it
immediately for two shillings. I drew flannel, and sold it at a profit.
I kept my account about square with the paymaster. As I drank no grog,
tea and sugar were given me in lieu of it. McMinn and I were very
friendly. He was a temperance man and gave me his allowance of tea and
sugar. At the end of each month I had quite a quantity due me. My
half-pay was allotted to Mrs. Jennie Thompson, Portsmouth. Then we were
in a quandary. It was necessary for a wife to show a marriage
certificate before she could get the money. Now that was a document
that Jennie did not possess. That little obstacle did not bother us very
long. We went to the Register's office and were married in orthodox
style. Jennie did not worry much over the fact of committing bigamy. She
got the certificate and half-pay, too. We lived together very happily. I
never knew her to be ill-natured or say a cross word. I always had a
cordial welcome, and a pleasant smile awaited me. What money I earned
was spent to advantage. I neither drank liquor nor used tob