ds the vessel had fallen--we thought it had been captured
by the Yahoos."

"Houyhnhnms, more likely. You'll find I'm a bit of a horse," replied
Jerry, in a passion.

"By Jove, then, you're only fit for the hounds," observed the gentleman
with oblique vision; "I should order you--"

"Would you? Well, now I'll order you, sir," replied the youngster,
whose anger made him quite forget the presence of his commanding
officer--"Have the goodness to step into that boat."

"And I shall order you, Mr J---," observed the master, with
asperity--"I order you to go into that boat, and take these gentlemen on
board, and to hold your tongue."

"Ay, ay, sir. This way, sir," said Jerry to Mr Peter, making him a
polite bow, and pointing to the boat at the gangway--"In that direction,
sir, if you please," continued Jerry, bowing to Mr Paul, and pointing
to the quarter of the vessel.

"And why in that direction, sir?" observed Paul, "I am going on board of
the frigate."

"I know it, sir; it was considerate on my part: I was allowing for the
angle of obliquity in your vision. You would have exactly fetched the
boat."

The indignation of Mr Paul was now at its height; and Pearce, the
master, who was much annoyed at Jerry's excessive impertinence, which he
knew Captain M--- would never have overlooked, detained the boat for a
minute, while he wrote a few lines to Price, requesting him to send the
bearer of it to the masthead, upon delivery, for his impertinent
conduct. "Mr J---, take this on board, and deliver it from me to the
commanding officer."

"Ay, ay, sir," replied Jerry. "Shove off there, forward."

Mr Peter looked Jerry earnestly in his face for some time, as they were
pulling on board.

"Well now, damn it, I like you, if it's only for your excessive
impudence."

"A negative sort of commendation, but I believe it the only one that he
has," replied the other, in a surly tone.

"Highly flattered, sir," replied Jerry to Mr Peter, "that you should
perceive anything to induce you to like me; but I am sorry I cannot
return the compliment, for I really cannot perceive anything to like you
for. As for your friend there, I can only say, that I detest all
_crooked_ ways.--In bow forward!--way enough. Now, gentlemen, with your
permission, I'll show you the road," said the youngster, climbing up the
side.

Jerry, who had some suspicion that the note was not in his favour, took
the liberty, as it was neither sealed nor