“No,” I said; “no, Mr. Fox; never that.  The captain must not think that I wish to be rid of him.  I will not stand in the way, though if it is to be offered him, he must comprehend that I had naught to do with the matter.  But, sir,” I continued curiously, “what do you know of John Paul’s abilities as an officer?”

Mr. Fox and Comyn laughed so immoderately as to bring the blood to my face.

“Damme!” cried the Junior Lord, “but you Americans have odd consciences!  Do you suppose Rigby was appointed Paymaster of the Forces because of his fitness?  Why was North himself made Prime Minister?  For his abilities?” And he broke down again.  “Ask Jack, here, how he got into the service, and how much seamanship he knows.”

“Faith,” answered Jack, unblushingly, “Admiral Lord Comyn, my father, wished me to serve awhile.  And so I have taken two cruises, delivered some score of commands, and scarce know a supple jack from a can of flip.  Cursed if I see the fun of it in these piping times o’ peace, so I have given it up, Richard.  For Charles says this Falkland business with Spain will blow out of the touch-hole.”

I could see little to laugh over.  For the very rottenness of the service was due to the miserable and servile Ministry and Parliament of his Majesty, by means of which instruments he was forcing the colonies to the wall.  Verily, that was a time when the greatness of England hung in the balance!  How little I suspected that the young man then seated beside me, who had cast so unthinkingly his mighty powers on the side of corruption, was to be one of the chief instruments of her salvation!  We were to fight George the Third across the seas.  He was to wage no less courageous a battle at home, in the King’s own capital.  And the cause?  Yes, the cause was to be the same as that of the Mr. Wilkes he reviled, who obtained his liberty that day.

At length John Paul came in, calling my name.  He broke off abruptly at sight of the visitors.

“Now we shall decide,” said Mr. Fox.  “Captain, I have bet Mr. Carvel ten guineas you have been to the Tower to see Squinting Jack (John Wilkes) get his liberty at last.”

The captain looked astonished.

“Anan, then, you have lost, Richard,” said he.  “For I have been just there.”

“And helped, no doubt, to carry off the champion on your shoulders,” said Mr. Fox, sarcastically, as I paid the debt.

“Mr. Wilkes knows full well the value of moderation, sir,” replied the captain, in the same tone.

“Well, damn the odds!” exclaimed the Junior Lord, laughing.  “You may have the magic number tattooed all over your back, for all I care.  You shall have the commission.”

“The commission?”

“Yes,” said Fox, carelessly; “I intend making you a lieutenant, sir, in the Royal Navy.”

The moment the words were out I was a-tremble as to how he would take the offer.  For he had a certain puzzling pride, which flew hither and thither.  But there was surely no comparison between the situations of the master of the Belle of the Wye and an officer in the Royal Navy.  There, his talents would make him an admiral, and doubtless give him the social position he secretly coveted.  He confounded us all by his answer.