say,
"Will this please my captain?" "Will this advance me in the service?"
The "Blanche" was soon refitted and at sea again. Several prizes were
made, and, greatly to his satisfaction, he was appointed to the command
of one of them, with Bonham as his mate, and Dick Rogers as boatswain.
She was a richly-laden West Indiaman, recaptured from the enemy. He was
ordered to take her to England, where, on his arrival, he found his
commission waiting for him.

Pearce received a right hearty welcome from his father, and intense was
the satisfaction of the brave seaman when his son showed him his
commission and appointment as second lieutenant to the "Vestal," an
eighteen gun sloop of war, commanded by Captain Gale, and destined for
the North American station.

"You have got your first step up the ratlins, Pearce. Go on as you have
begun, and Heaven preserving your life, there is no reason why you
shouldn't reach the highest," said the proud father, as he once more
parted from his son.

Those were days of pressgangs, and Dick Rogers took good care to hide
away till he ascertained the craft Pearce was to join, when he at once
volunteered for her. Bonham, who had still a year to serve, was
appointed to the same ship. The "Vestal" had a quick run across the
Atlantic till within about five days' sail of Halifax, Nova Scotia, when
a heavy gale sprang up, which tried to the utmost her seaworthy
qualities. The sloop behaved beautifully, hove to, and rode buoyantly
over the raging seas. Well indeed was it for her that the was properly
handled, for the gale went on in creasing till the oldest seamen on
board declared that they had never met with such another. It continued
for a week, each day the wind blowing harder and harder, or if there was
a lull it seemed to come only that the gale might gain greater strength.
For days not a glimpse of sun, or moon, or stars had been obtained. It
was the morning watch; the grey cold dawn had just broke. Pearce was on
deck, when sweeping his eye round the horizon as the sloop rose to the
summit of a sea he perceived on the lee beam the hull of a ship, rising
and sinking amid the tumultuous waters. At first he thought she was
keel up, but as the light increased he saw that she was a large ship
with the stump of the foremast alone remaining. That she was in a bad
plight was very clear. She was remarkably low in the water he fancied,
and who could say how long even she might keep afloat.