y--, he couldn't decave me, lieutenant, darlin', then; for though
he didn't recollect it, I'll be sworn, or he'd a kept a more dacent
tongue in his mouth, I saw his name of Tower graven on his musket."

Most of the other members of the midshipmen's berth I have already
described.

There was a mate of the name of Grummit, who had been for some years
waiting for his promotion, but was of so hopeful a disposition, that he
always expected his commission out by the following packet; and there
was a master's assistant, called Samuel Spike, who considered himself
capable of commanding the allied fleets of Europe; and a clerk, named
Smith, who intended, when he had made his fortune and retired from the
Service, to become First Lord of the Treasury; but as these delusions
did not prevent them from attending to their duties, and they certainly
appeared to contribute very much to the happiness of the young men who
entertained them, nobody interfered with them. I ought not to forget to
mention among the officers, the boatswain, gunner, and carpenter. The
most remarkable circumstance connected with them was, that their names
were respectively Brown, Black, and White. They were all good seamen,
and properly impressed with the importance of their offices. If Brown
had, like his superiors, a weakness, it was in the belief that not a
boatswain in the service could pipe better, or had a louder voice than
himself, as also that he deserved a much higher rating than he
possessed.

"A sail on the larboard bow," hailed the look-out from the mast-head.

"What does she look like?" inquired Mr Saltwell, who was on deck.

"A large brig, sir, close hauled on the larboard tack," was the answer.

The wind at the time was about north-west.

The first lieutenant, with his glass slung across his shoulder,
instantly went aloft. He could see about half way down her topsails,
and there was something in the look of them which made him think it was
worth while overhauling her. He came down, and went into the cabin to
report her to Captain Fleetwood.

On his return the yards were braced up a little, and the course altered
three points more to the northward. Captain Fleetwood soon came on
deck, and went aloft to examine the chase. As the _Ione_ was already
carrying as much canvas as could possibly be set, little more could be
done to make her sail faster.

Of course, bound as they were on what might prove a long and arduous
cruise, it would