Our amusements in the gun-room were rough.  One of them was to lie on the mess table, under the tiller, and to hold by the tiller ropes above, while we kicked at all who attempted to dislodge us, either by force or stratagem.  Whoever had possession, had nine points of the law, and could easily oppose the whole.  I one day held this envied position, and kept all at bay, when, unluckily, one of the passed midshipmen, who had got very drunk with the gunner, came in and made a furious attack on me.  I gave him a kick on the face, that sent him with great violence on his back, among the plates and dishes, which had been removed from the dinner-table and placed between the guns.  Enraged, as much at the laughter against him as at the blow he had received, he snatched up a carving fork, and, before any one was aware of his intention, stabbed me with it four times.  I jumped up to punish him, but the moment I got on my legs was so stiff, that I fell back into the arms of my messmates.

The surgeon examined the wounds, which were serious; two of them nearly touched an artery.  I was put to bed sick, and was three weeks confined to my berth.  The midshipman who had committed this outrage, was very penitent when sober, and implored my pardon and forgiveness.  Naturally good-natured, I freely forgave, because I was disarmed by submission.  I never trampled on a prostrate foe.  The surgeon reported me ill of a fever, which was true; for had the captain known the real fact, the midshipman, whose commission was signed, and in the ship, ready to be delivered to him on his arrival at Bermuda, would certainly have lost his promotion.  My kindness to him, I believe, wounded him more than my resentment; he became exceedingly melancholy and thoughtful, gave up drinking, and was ever after greatly attached to me.  I reckon this among the few good actions of my life, and own I have great pleasure in reflecting upon it.

We arrived at Bermuda soon after, having left the convoy in the latitude of ten degrees north.  The supernumeraries were all discharged into their respective ships; and before we separated, we had the pleasure to see the first lieutenant take his passage in a ship bound to England.  Most sincerely did we congratulate ourselves on the success of our intrigue.

Chapter XIII

  Where the remote Bermudas ride,
  In th’ ocean’s bosom.

  ANDREW MARVELL.

There is a peculiar kind of beauty among these islands, which we might really believe to be the abode of fairies.  They consist of a cluster of rocks, formed by the zoophyte, or coral worm.  The number of the islands is said to be equal to the days of the year.  They are covered with a short green sward, dark cedar trees, and low white houses, which have a pretty and pleasing effect; the harbours are numerous, but shallow; and though there are many channels into them, there is but one for large ships into the principal anchorage.