with the storming of the Convention Redoubt, and that he was writing per
same mail to "his friend Hood" (the admiral, not the captain), asking
him to give me as many opportunities as he could of distinguishing
myself--"or of getting knocked on the head," thought I; and that if I
needed any cash my drafts upon him would be duly honoured. Also, that
he had not been out much during the winter, his old enemy the gout
having attacked him so pertinaciously that he had been confined to the
house for weeks at a time, moored "stem and stern" before the library
fire, like a prison-hulk in Portsmouth Harbour!

My letters and my breakfast were got through in about the same time; and
as Bob and I emerged from our tiny cabin on to the cutter's narrow deck
the ship's bells were musically chiming out the eight strokes which
proclaimed the end of one watch and the commencement of another. The
skipper would, I knew, be stirring by this time, so I jumped into the
dinghy, and proceeded on board the frigate.

As I stepped in on the "Juno's" deck, Captain Hood made his appearance
at the cabin-door. Touching my hat, I went up and reported myself.

"Good morning, Mr Chester," observed he affably; "I am very glad to see
you have come safely out of your escapade. But what do you mean, sir,"
(assuming a tone of severity), "by presuming to undertake such an
expedition without asking and obtaining permission? It is a manifest
breach of discipline, and, as such, must be punished. I placed you in
charge of the cutter as a kind of promotion, and by way of reward for
your exemplary conduct generally. _Now_ I shall be compelled to deprive
you of your command. You will return forthwith to your duty on board
the frigate, sir."

"Ay, ay, sir," I responded, considerably crestfallen. "I am extremely
sorry to have incurred your displeasure, sir, I am sure. I _would_ have
asked permission, sir, but I was afraid that, after poor Mr Tupper's
death, it would be refused."

"Very well, Mr Chester. I have no doubt you _meant_ well, and
therefore I have been lenient in the punishment which your breach of
discipline demanded. You have been reprimanded on the quarter-deck,
sir, and so we will say nothing more about it. Only I must impress upon
you the necessity of being careful to avoid a repetition of the offence.
Now come into the cabin and have some breakfast with me, and you can
then tell us how you fared among the Frenchmen. If you have not alre