“Why, as to that, my lord, I am not very likely to have any choice.  I am sent here to join the blockading fleet, and here, no doubt, I am doomed to stick.  I care nothing about the Mediterranean, and it would matter little if I did.”

“I am sorry to hear you speak in that way,” said Nelson, “for I had reckoned a good deal on your activity, personal knowledge, and abilities, to execute a service of some consequence in the upper parts of the station.  In this view I have been cutting out a cruise for you, which I had hoped might enable you to see everything that is interesting, and at the same time to execute a delicate and difficult piece of service.  But if you really do not fancy it, only say so—­it is not a business that can be done well on compulsion, but must be done cheerfully.  If you have a mind to go, well and good—­if not, I must look out for some one else—­but you are the man I should prefer, if it be agreeable to you.  Here is a sketch of your orders, and there is the chart—­look them over at leisure, and make your decision.”

As Lord Nelson spoke these words he went on deck, leaving the poor man bewildered at the prospect of the very employment he most desired, and not a little ashamed of himself for having anticipated so different a reception.  The captain gratefully accepted the Admiral’s offer, sailed on the appointed service, which he executed with such diligence and zeal, that he actually returned to the blockading fleet long within the period he was authorized to bestow on the cruise; and there he remained ever afterwards, performing all the drudgery of the blockading service, not only with zeal, but with the heartiest good humour, springing out of an anxious desire to manifest at once his respect and his affectionate devotion to the matchless officer who had so judiciously taught him the true path to honour.

The last thing to be done in fitting out, and before quitting the harbour, is to turn all hands over to their proper ship, and then to scrape, and scrub, and wash the hulk as effectually as possible, preparatory to her being inspected by the dockyard.  This duty is too frequently executed in a negligent manner; and really it is not much to be wondered at, for the hulks are such abominable ugly-looking monsters, that one can take no pride or pleasure in treating them with common decency.  The commanding-officer, therefore, should be particularly cautious in seeing this operation effectually performed; for, if he does not, he will be sure to be called upon next day to send a party of hands, probably at a great inconvenience, to repeat the process.