essel
ran down to us, that had left Civita Vecchia for Gibraltar. I desired
the captain of the xebeque to make a signal of distress, or rather I did
myself, and the vessel, which proved to be English, bore down to us.

"I manned the boat to go on board, and the idea came into my head, that
although they might refuse to take me, that they would not refuse a
lord. I put on the midshipman's uniform belonging to his lordship (but
then certainly belonging to me), and went alongside of the merchant
vessel; I told them that I had left my ship for the benefit of my
health, and wanted a passage to Gibraltar, on my way home. My title,
and immediate acceptance of the terms demanded for my passage, was
sufficient. My property was brought from the xebeque; and, of course,
as they could not speak English, they could not contradict, even if they
suspected. During my passage to Gibraltar, I had plenty of time for
arranging my plans. I hardly need say that my lord's _kit_ was
valuable; and what was better, they exactly fitted me. I also had his
watches and trinkets, and many other things, besides a bag of dollars.
However, they were honestly mine; the only thing that I took was his
name, which he had no further occasion for, poor fellow! But it's no
use defending what was wrong--it was dishonest, and there's an end of
it.

"Now observe, Mr Simple, how one thing leads to another. I declare to
you, that my first idea of making use of his lordship's name was to
procure a passage to Gibraltar. I then was undecided how to act; but,
as I had charge of his papers and letters to his mother and guardian, I
think, indeed I am almost sure--that I should have laid aside my dignity
and midshipman's dress, and applied for a passage home to the
commissioner of the yard. But it was fated to be otherwise; for the
master of the transport went on shore to report and obtain pratique, and
he told them everywhere that the young Lord A--- was a passenger with
him, going to England for the benefit of his health. In less than
half-an-hour, off came the commissioner's boat, and another boat from
the governor, requesting the honour of my company, and that I would take
a bed at their houses during my stay. What could I do? I began to be
frightened; but I was more afraid to confess that I was an impostor, for
I am sure the master of the transport alone would have kicked me
overboard, if I had let him know that he had been so confounded polite
to a s