re.

VOLUME ONE, CHAPTER ELEVEN.

'Tis man's bold task the gen'rous strife to try,
But in the hands of God is victory.
ILIAD.

Newton, and the other men who had been selected for the frigate, on
board of which they had been despatched (victualled the day discharged),
were mustered on the quarter-deck by the first lieutenant, who asked
them the questions, whether they were bred to the sea, and could take
the helm and lead. Having noted down their answers, he stationed them
accordingly, and they were dismissed. Newton would again have appealed,
but on reflection thought it advisable to await the arrival of the
captain. Beds and blankets were not supplied that evening: the boats
were hoisted up, sentries on the gang ways supplied with ball-cartridges
to prevent desertion, and permission granted to the impressed men to
"prick for the softest plank" which they could find for their night's
repose.

At daylight the hands were turned up, the capstern manned, the frigate
unmoored, and hove "short stay a-peak" on her anchor remaining down.
The gig was sent on shore with two midshipmen, one to watch the men and
prevent their desertion, while the other went up to the captain's
lodgings to report her arrival: the topsails were loosed, sheeted home,
and hoisted, the yards braced by, and Newton to his sorrow perceived
that the captain's arrival would be the signal for immediate departure.
The signalman, on the look-out with his glass, reported the gig coming
off with the captain; and in obedience to the orders he had received,
the first-lieutenant immediately hove up, and the anchor having been
"catted and fished," the frigate lay-to in the Sound. As soon as the
boat came alongside, and the captain had been received with the
customary honours, he desired sail to be made on her as soon as the boat
was hoisted up, and then descended to his cabin. In three minutes
Newton perceived that all chance of release for the present was over;
the courses and topgallant sails were set, and the frigate darted past
the Ram Head at the rate of ten miles per hour.

In about twenty minutes, after the messenger had been stowed away, the
cables coiled in the tiers, and the ropes flemished down on deck, the
captain made his appearance, and directed the first-lieutenant to send
aft the newly impressed men. In few words he pointed out to them the
necessity of their servitude; and concluded by recommending them to
enter his majesty's se