pared from my duties.
O'Brien was very much annoyed, but there was no help. "Never mind,
Peter," said he, "I've been thinking that perhaps it's all for the best.
You will see more of the world, and be no longer in leading-strings.
You are now a fine man grown up, big enough, and ugly enough, as they
say, to take care of yourself. We shall meet again; and if we don't,
why then God bless you, my boy, and don't forget O'Brien."

Three days afterwards, O'Brien's orders came down. I accompanied him on
board; and it was not until the ship was under weigh, and running
towards the Needles with a fair wind, that I shook hands with him, and
shoved off. Parting with O'Brien was a heavy blow to me; but I little
knew how much I was to suffer before I saw him again.

CHAPTER FIFTY THREE.

I AM PLEASED WITH MY NEW CAPTAIN--OBTAIN LEAVE TO GO HOME--FIND MY
FATHER AFFLICTED WITH A VERY STRANGE DISEASE, AND PROVE MYSELF A VERY
GOOD DOCTOR, ALTHOUGH THE DISORDER ALWAYS BREAKS OUT IN A FRESH PLACE.

The day after O'Brien had sailed for the East Indies, the dock-yard men
came on board to survey the brig, and she was found so defective, as to
be ordered into dock. I had received letters from my sister, who was
overjoyed at the intelligence of my safe return, and the anticipation of
seeing me. The accounts of my father were, however, very
unsatisfactory. My sister wrote, that disappointment and anxiety had
had such an effect upon him that he was deranged in his intellect. Our
new captain came down to join us. He was a very young man, and had
never before commanded a ship. His character as lieutenant was well
known, and not very satisfactory, being that of a harsh, unpleasant
officer; but, as he had never been first lieutenant, it was impossible
to say what he might prove when in command of a ship. Still we were a
little anxious about it, and severely regretted the loss of O'Brien.

He came on board the hulk to which the ship's company had been turned
over, and read his commission. He proved to be all affability,
condescension, and good-nature. To me he was particularly polite,
stating that he should not interfere with me in carrying on the duty, as
I must be so well acquainted with the ship's company. We thought that
those who gave us the information must have been prejudiced or mistaken
in his character. During the half-hour that he remained on board, I
stated that now that the brig was in dock, I should like very much