share of bravery, yet a man is
very willing to flatter himself to the contrary; and, after a little
time, I got to believe that my killing the dog was an action of
undaunted courage, and that I was as gallant as any of the one hundred
thousand heroes of our army. I always had a military taste--it's only
the brutal part of the profession, the horrid fighting and blood, that I
don't like.

I suppose the regiment was not very brave itself--being only militia;
but certain it was, that Stubbs was considered a most terrible fellow,
and I swore so much, and looked so fierce, that you would have fancied
I had made half a hundred campaigns. I was second in several duels; the
umpire in all disputes; and such a crack-shot myself, that fellows were
shy of insulting me. As for Dobble, I took him under my protection; and
he became so attached to me, that we ate, drank, and rode together every
day; his father didn't care for money, so long as his son was in good
company--and what so good as that of the celebrated Stubbs? Heigho! I
WAS good company in those days, and a brave fellow too, as I should have
remained, but for--what I shall tell the public immediately.

It happened, in the fatal year ninety-six, that the brave North Bungays
were quartered at Portsmouth, a maritime place, which I need not
describe, and which I wish I had never seen. I might have been a General
now, or, at least, a rich man.

The red-coats carried everything before them in those days; and I, such
a crack character as I was in my regiment, was very well received by
the townspeople: many dinners I had; many tea-parties; many lovely young
ladies did I lead down the pleasant country-dances.

Well, although I had had the two former rebuffs in love which I have
described, my heart was still young; and the fact was, knowing that a
girl with a fortune was my only chance, I made love here as furiously as
ever. I shan't describe the lovely creatures on whom I fixed, whilst at
Portsmouth. I tried more than--several--and it is a singular fact, which
I never have been able to account for, that, successful as I was with
ladies of maturer age, by the young ones I was refused regular.

But "faint heart never won fair lady;" and so I went on, and on, until
I had got a Miss Clopper, a tolerable rich navy-contractor's daughter,
into such a way, that I really don't think she could have refused me.
Her brother, Captain Clopper, was in a line regiment, and helped me as
much as