e, his request was immediately
granted, without any farther questions being put relative to his
profession, or the manner in which he had been captured. The captain
very civilly gave him to understand, that he might mess with the
gun-room officers, if he could arrange with them, and that he expected
to sail on the evening of the ensuing day. Newton immediately repaired
on board of the frigate, to ascertain if the officers would receive him
as a messmate; and further, whether the amount of his mess-money would
be more than he could in prudence afford. At the bottom of one of the
portmanteaus he had found a bag of two hundred dollars, supplied by his
generous host, and in the same bag there was also deposited a small note
from Madame de Fontanges, wishing him success, and enclosing (as a
_souvenir_) a ring, which he had often perceived on her finger; but,
adequate as was this supply to his own wants, Newton did not forget that
his father was, in all probability, in great distress, and would require
his assistance on his return. He was therefore naturally anxious not to
expend more than was absolutely necessary in defraying his passage. The
old first-lieutenant, to whom, upon his arrival on board, he was
introduced as commanding officer, received him with much urbanity; and
when Newton stated that he had obtained the captain's permission to make
the application immediately acceded to his wishes on the part of his
messmates as well as of himself. When Newton followed up his
application, by requesting to know the expense which he would incur, as,
in case of its being greater than his finances could meet, he would
request permission to choose a less expensive mess.

"I am aware," replied the veteran, "that those who have been
shipwrecked, and in a French prison, are not likely to be very flush of
cash. It is, however, a point on which I must consult my messmates.
Excuse me one moment, and I will bring you an answer: I have no doubt
but that it will be satisfactorily arranged; but there is nothing like
settling these points at once. Mr Webster, see that the lighter shoves
off the moment that she is clear," continued the first-lieutenant to one
of the midshipmen as he descended the quarter-deck ladder, leaving
Newton to walk the quarter-deck.

In a few minutes the first-lieutenant reappeared, with one or two others
of the gun-room mess, who greeted him most cordially.

"I have seen all that are requisite," said he to