lasses
afloat, as well as by all who knew him on shore. I soon became very
much attached to him, and would have gone round the world to do him a
service. Many times did he save me from punishment when I specially
deserved it. He was indeed very far from being one of those fine
fellows whom no ordinary mortals can approach; for he had a heart tender
as a woman's, and he would as readily sympathise with the grief of the
smallest middy, as with the sorrow or suffering of the roughest tar on
board. He was a sincere Christian too, and, what was more, was not
ashamed of his Christianity. He exhibited his principles in his
practice--in the daily duties of life,--till he taught the most profane
and profligate to respect him, if not to adopt them. I wish there were
more Basil Vernons in the service. Thank Heaven! there are some shining
lights to lighten us in our darkness--leaven, which gradually, though
slowly, may, by God's providence, leaven the whole mass.

Our third lieutenant, Hugh Summers, wrote poetry, talked sentiment, and
dreamed dreams, and required a flapper to remind him when to put the
ship about at times; but when once aroused into action, he was as
energetic as any one, and had plenty of resources on an emergency.

The master, surgeon, and purser, were also very good fellows in their
way, and if not shining ornaments, were no disgrace to His Majesty's
service.

At last the pay-clerks came on board, and paid the ship's company. A
fine bright morning saw the signal flying from the admiral's ship for
the fleet to weigh and work out to Saint Helen's. There was a nice
working breeze, a blue sky, and the water just rippled enough to reflect
with more dazzling splendour the rays of the glorious sun, as he shed
them almost along the path we were to pursue. It was, in truth, a
beautiful sight; and considering the number of ships--some eighteen sail
or more, all beating out together within so narrow a channel,--it was
surprising that much damage was not done, especially when it is
remembered that the crews of half the ships had never been to sea
before, and that the ropes were stiff and new, and did not work well.
One ship, I believe, carried away her flying jib-boom against the stern
of another; and with that slight loss, and a small expenditure of abuse
from the respective crews, who thought each other to blame, we reached
Saint Helen's. The next day we were fairly off to sea; the fleet formed
in two lines,