cused it. Tom and I were aft, sitting in the jolly boat astern,
fitting some of her gear, for we belonged to the boat at that time,
although we were afterwards shifted into the cutter. The frigate was
going about four knots through the water, and the sea was pretty smooth.
One of the marines fell overboard, out of the forechains. "Man
overboard," was cried out immediately, and the men [became] very busy
clearing away the starboard cutter, with all the expedition requisite on
such an occasion. The captain was standing aft on the signal chest when
the marine passed astern; the poor fellow could not swim, and Tom
turning to me said, "Jacob, I should _like_ to save that Jolly," and
immediately dashed overboard.

"And I should _like_ to help you, Tom," cried I, following him.

The captain was close to us, and heard us both. Between us we easily
held up the marine, and the boat had us all on board in less than a
minute. When we came on deck the captain was at the gangway. He showed
his white teeth, and shook the telescope in his hand at us. "I heard
you both; and I should _like_ to have a good many more impudent fellows
like you."

We continued our cruise, looking sharp out for the privateers, but
without success; we then touched at Madeira for intelligence, and were
informed that they had been seen more to the southward. The frigate's
head was turned in that direction until we were abreast of the Canary
Isles, and then we traversed east and west, north or south, just as the
wind and weather, or the captain's _like_ thought proper. We had now
cruised seven weeks out of our time without success, and the captain
promised five guineas to the man who should discover the objects of our
search. Often did Tom and I climb to the mast-head and scan the
horizon, and so did many others: but those who were stationed at the
look-out were equally on the alert. The ship's company were now in a
very fair state of discipline, owing to the incessant practice, and
every evening the hands were turned up to skylark--that is, to play and
amuse themselves. There was one amusement which was the occasion of a
great deal of mirth, and it was a favourite one of the captain's, as it
made the men smart. It is called, "Follow my leader." One of the men
leads, and all who choose follow him: sometimes forty or fifty will
join. Whatever the leader does, the rest must do also; wherever he goes
they must follow. Tom, who was always the forem