alarmed the surgeon’s assistant.  I was then released, but ordered to mess on my chest for a fortnight by myself.  As soon as I was able to stand, and had recovered my breath, I declared in the most solemn manner, that a repetition of the offence should produce the action for which I had suffered, and I would then appeal to the captain for justice; “and,” said I, turning to Murphy, “it was I who cut down your hammock, and had very nearly knocked out your brains.  I did it in return for your cowardly attack on me; and I will do it again, if I surfer martyrdom for it; for every act of tyranny you commit I will have revenge.  Try me now, and see if I am not as good as my word.”  He grinned, and turned pale, but dared do no more, for he was a coward.

I was ordered to quit the berth, which I did, and as I went out, one of the mates observed, that I was “a proper malignant devil, by G——.”

This violent scene produced a sort of cessation from hostilities.  Murphy knew that he might expect a decanter at his head or a knife in his side, if I was provoked; and that peace which I could not gain from his compassion, I obtained from his fears.  The affair made a noise in the ship.  With the officers in the gun-room I lost ground, because it was misrepresented.  With the men I gained favour, because they hated Murphy.  They saw the truth, and admired me for my determined resistance.

Sent to Coventry by the officers, I sought the society of the men.  I learned rapidly the practical part of my duty, and profited by the uncouth criticism of these rough warriors on the defective seamanship of their superiors.  A sort of compact was made between us:  they promised that whenever they deserted, it should not be from my boat when on duty, and I promised to let them go and drink at public-houses as long as I could spare them.  In spite, however, of this mutual understanding, two of them violated their faith the night before we went to sea, and left the boat of which I had charge; and as I had disobeyed orders in letting them go to a public-house, I was, on my return to the ship, dismissed from the quarter-deck, and ordered to do my duty in the fore-top.

Chapter III

  The might of England flush’d
    To anticipate the same;
  And her van the fleeter rush’d
    O’er the deadly space between. 
  “Hearts of oak!” our captains cried; when each gun
    From its adamantine lips
    Spread a death-shade round the ships,
    Like the hurricane eclipse
      Of the sun.

  CAMPBELL.

Considering my youth and inexperience, and the trifling neglect of which I was accused, there are few, even of the most rigid disciplinarians, who will not admit that I was both unjustly and unkindly treated by the first lieutenant, who certainly, with all my respect for him, had lent himself to my enemies.  The second lieutenant and Mr Murphy did not even conceal their feelings on the occasion, but exulted over my disgrace.