le to
enter it again, in consequence of my folly in requesting you to get me
discharged." "I probably may have interest enough, Billy, to get you once
more on the quarter-deck if you will promise me faithfully to remain
steady." "I promise you solemnly I will," replied he. "Then meet me at the
admiral's office to-morrow at ten o'clock," returned I. "And I suppose,
from your appearance, you are pretty well aground. Here is something that
will keep your body and soul together." He made a leg and took his
departure.' But I am afraid, Lady Campbell, you have had enough of this
rigmarole story, for it is rather a long one, and to those who know
nothing of the man it may not be an interesting one." "Why, Captain M.,"
said Lady Campbell, "as the weather is disagreeable, and we do not intend
to take a drive this evening, we may as well hear about Billy Culmer as
anybody else. Do you not think so, Admiral?" The admiral, who appeared
more inclined for a nap than to listen to a long-spun yarn, I verily
believe, wished the narrator and the subject of his narration at the
masthead together. However, he nodded assent, and the story went on.

"'On speaking to the admiral, Billy was again under my command,' resumed
his lordship, 'and was appointed mate of the hold. When I was promoted to
my flag, Billy and I parted company, for he had followed me steadily from
the frigate to a ship of the line. As soon as he had served his six years,
I sent for him and told him he must go to London to pass his examination.
"You must excuse me, my lord," was his answer; "I would rather remain the
oldest midshipman than the youngest lieutenant," and he persisted in this
whim for more than three years. At the end of that period the ship he
belonged to arrived at Spithead, and he came on board me to pay his
respects. "Well," said I, "Culmer, will you now pass your examination, or
are you determined to die the oldest midshipman in the service?" "I have
been thinking of it," was his reply, "but I have no money to carry me to
London." "That," said I, "I will give you. And if you can mount a horse, I
will procure that also." In a few days Billy started for London, where he
arrived a week after, having sold my horse on the road, without informing
me of his having done so. When he made his appearance before the
Commissioners at Somerset Place, they were all younger than himself, and
one of them had been a mid in the same ship where he was mate. This last
addresse