d from a midshipman you may rise to be a post-captain, or
admiral,--a much greater rank than I shall ever obtain," said Captain
Bridgeman; "so take my advice, and do as your mother wishes; be very
civil and respectful to Captain Delmar, and he may be as good as a
father to you."

"That's not saying much," replied I, thinking of my father Ben; "I'd
rather have two mothers than two fathers." And here the conversation
ended.

I had contracted a great alliance with Mr Dott, the midshipman, who
followed Captain Delmar about, just as Bob used to follow me, and
generally remained in the shop or outside with me, when his captain
called upon my mother. He was a little wag, as full of mischief as
myself, and even his awe of his captain, which, as a youngster in the
service, was excessive, would not prevent him from occasionally breaking
out. My mother took great notice of him, and when he could obtain leave
(which, indeed, she often asked for him), invited him to come to our
house, when he became my companion during his stay; we would sally out
together, and vie with each other in producing confusion and mirth at
other people's expense; we became the abhorrence of every old
fruit-woman and beggar in the vicinity.

Captain Delmar heard occasionally of my pranks, and looked very majestic
and severe; but as I was not a middy, I cared little for his frowns. At
last an opportunity offered which I could not resist; and, not daring to
make known my scheme either to Captain Bridgeman or Aunt Milly, I
confided it to Tommy Dott, the little middy, who, regardless of the
consequences, joined me in it heart and soul.

The theatre had been opened at Chatham, and had met with indifferent
success. I went there once with my aunt Milly, and twice with Mr Dott;
I, therefore, knew my _locale_ well. It appeared that one of the female
performers, whose benefit was shortly to take place, was very anxious to
obtain the patronage of Captain Delmar, and, with the usual tact of
women, had applied to my mother in the most obsequious manner,
requesting her to espouse her cause with the gallant captain.

My mother, pleased with the idea of becoming, as it were, a patroness
under the rose, did so effectually exert her influence over the captain,
that, in a day or two afterwards, play-bills were posted all over the
town, announcing that the play of _The Stranger_, with the farce of
_Raising the Wind_, would be performed on Friday evening, for the
be