ery true, sir," said Mr Merton; "but let me write a line to send
home, and speak a few words to my late captain. I will not detain you."

"I can give you five minutes," said the lieutenant, pulling out his
watch.

Mr Merton thanked him and hurried below.

Poor fellow! What words of anguish and sorrow did he pour out in that
letter; yet, I doubt not, he expressed his own resignation, and
endeavoured to encourage her to whom it was addressed to hope that yet
happy days were in store for them. He entrusted the letter to the
captain, and begged him to go and see and comfort the lady to whom it
was addressed. Then with a calm countenance he appeared on deck, and
signified to the lieutenant that he was ready to accompany him, I doubt
not he felt like a brave man going to execution.

The frigate we were on board was the _Brilliant_, of forty guns, and, as
I looked round and saw what perfect order she was in, I thought her a
very fine ship, and except that I regretted not being able to return
home, I was perfectly content to belong to her. Men-of-war in those
days were very different to what they are at present. Men of all
classes were shipped on board, often out of the prisons and hulks, and
the sweepings of the streets. Quantity was looked-for because quality
could not be got. An able seaman was a great prize. The pressgangs
were always at work on shore, and they thought themselves fortunate when
such could be found. Now, with such a mixture of men, the bad often
outnumbering the good, very strict and stern discipline was necessary.

The very first day I got on board I saw five men flogged for not being
smart enough at reefing topsails. I thought it very cruel, and it set
me against the service. I did not inquire who the men were. I found
afterwards that they were idle rascals who deserved punishment, and
always went about their duty in a lazy, sluggish way. However, there
was no doubt that our captain was a very taut hand. The ship had just
come out of harbour. He had found out that the greater part of his crew
were a bad lot, and he was getting them into order. He treated us who
had belonged to the _Montezuma_ in a very different way. He saw that we
were seamen, and he valued us accordingly. Still I think there was more
punishment on board than was absolutely necessary. We had nine powerful
fellows doing duty as boatswain's mates on board, and there was starting
and flogging going on every day and al