written during Captain Locker's temporary absence from his ship, in
consequence of ill health:--

"Lowestoffe, at Sea,
_August 12, 1777_.

"My most worthy Friend--I am exceedingly obliged to you for the
good opinion you entertain of me, and will do my utmost that you
may have no occasion to change it. I hope God Almighty will be
pleased to spare your life for your own sake and that of your
family; but should any thing happen to you (which I sincerely
pray God may not) you may be assured that nothing shall be
wanting on my part for the taking care of your effects, and
delivering safe to Mrs Locker such of them as may be thought
proper not to be disposed of. You mentioned the word consolation
in your letter--I shall have a very great one, when I think I
have served faithfully the best of friends, and the most amiable
of women. All the services I can render to your family, you may
be assured shall be done; and shall never end but with my life;
and may God Almighty, of his great goodness, keep, bless, and
preserve you and your family, is the most fervent prayer of your
faithful servant,

"Horatio Nelson."

In 1781 he was appointed commander of the Albemarle, of twenty-eight
guns, and in the following year had a narrow escape from a strong
French force in Boston Bay. The sailing qualities of the Albemarle
beat the line-of-battle ships, and he immediately brought to for a
frigate that formed part of the chasing squadron, but his courtesy was
declined, and the frigate bore away. He dwells, in several of his
letters, on his good fortune in getting off; but, in the following one
to his father, he omits all mention of his challenge to the pursuer:--

"Albemarle, Isle of Bic,
River St Lawrence
_October 19, 1782_.

"My dear Father--I wrote to Mr Suckling when I was at
Newfoundland, but I have not had an opportunity of writing to you
till this time. I expected to have sailed for England on the
first of November, but our destination is now altered, for we
sail with a fleet for New York to-morrow; and from there I think
it very likely we shall go to the _grand theatre_