n
asserting my independence, which had now ended in my losing my liberty.
But we were cold from the ducking we had received, and moreover, very
hungry. The first lieutenant did not forget his promise: he sent us a
good dinner, and a glass of grog each, which we discussed under the
half-deck, between two of the guns. We had some money in our pockets,
and we purchased some sheets of paper from the bum-boat people, who were
on the main-deck supplying the seamen, and I wrote to Mr Drummond and
Mr Turnbull, as well as to Mary and old Tom, requesting the two latter
to forward our clothes to Deal, in case of our being detained. Tom also
wrote to comfort his mother, and the greatest comfort which he could
give was, as he said, to promise to keep sober. Having entrusted these
letters to the bumboat woman, who promised faithfully to put them into
the post-office, we had then nothing else to do but to look out for some
place to sleep. Our clothes had dried on us, and we were walking under
the half-deck: but not a soul spoke to, or even took the least notice of
us. In a newly-manned ship just ready to sail there is a universal
feeling of selfishness prevailing among the ship's company. Some, if
not most, had, like us, been pressed, and their thoughts were occupied
with their situation and the change in their prospects. Others were
busy making their little arrangements with their wives or relations;
while the mass of the seamen, not yet organised by discipline or known
to each other, were in a state of disunion and individuality, which
naturally induced every man to look after himself without caring for his
neighbour. We therefore could not expect, nor did we receive, any
sympathy; we were in a scene of bustle and noise, yet alone. A spare
topsail, which had been stowed for the present between two of the guns,
was the best accommodation which offered itself. We took possession of
it, and, tired with exertion of mind and body, were soon fast asleep.

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.

THERE ARE MANY UPS AND DOWNS IN THIS WORLD--WE FIND OURSELVES IN THE
DOWNS--OUR CAPTAIN COMES ON BOARD, AND GIVES US A SHORT SERMON UPON
ANTIPATHIES, WHICH MOST OF US NEVER HEARD THE LIKE OF--HE SETS US ALL
UPON THE GO WITH HIS STOP WATCH, AND NEVER CALLS THE WATCH UNTIL THE
WATCH IS SATISFIED WITH ALL HANDS.

At daylight the next morning we were awakened with a start by the shrill
whistles of the boatswain and his mates piping all hands to unmoor.