that it raised him higher in my estimation, and I could have loved him as a father.

"Young gentleman," said Sir Isaac, "Captain P- will give you an order to visit the prisoner-for yourself, I hardly need tell you, that an association with the men does not become an officer, and therefore it would be judicious in you not to remain whilst Wills is conversing with his messmate. At the same time," continued he, turning to Captain P, "I must own that man has greatly interested me; and if this young gentleman can by any means obtain knowledge of the facts which might justify an extension of favour, I can see no especial harm in it, eh ?"

Captain Pwaited for a minute to ascertain whether the admiral had any thing more to say, but perceiving that the observation had been made somewhat inquiringly, he replied, "None whatever, sir; the poor fellow is not at all communicative, and perhaps something may be elicited advantageous to him. He needs advice under his present condition, and perhaps old Wills-indeed I

feel certain he will be an honest and prudent counsellor."

"Well, then it shall be so," said the admiral, "let them have a written order to see the prisoner at four bells* to-morrow forenoon, then, old man, act wisely and prudently."

"I wool, your honor; indeed, I wool," returned the veteran, his face glowing with satisfaction, "I'll do all to the best of my 'billity."

The order was obtained, and jumping into my boat, we returned to the prize. What little remained to do had been done during my absence, and the men congregated round old Wills, listening to his anecdotes of Jem Collins, as well as of former services with Sir Isaac Coffin, and many were the anxious glances at the Gladiator, as if they longed to pierce the vessel's side, so that they might see their old friend and shipmate, to console him under the pressure of affliction.

Who Mr. Mason was, and what were the allusions made to him by the admiral, I had * Ten o'clock in the morning.

but a faint idea, gathered from the first lieutenant of the guard-ship, who stated that Mr. Mason was an officer of the navy, who had endeavoured to arrest Collins, but after a severe struggle, had been knocked down, and almost killed by him; in fact, he was then supposed to be confined to his bed in a very precarious state.

Precisely at four bells in the forenoon watch, I was on the quarter-deck of the guard-ship, and presented my credentials to the first lieutenant. It was a lovely morning, redolent of summer beauty: the sun threw its genial warmth upon the smiling face of nature, and though the scenery was not of a rural kind, yet the lawn and garden in front of Haslar Hospital, and the distant fields and meadows exhibited a charming freshness to one who had been long absent from such enjoyments. All was bustle in the harbour; the golden rays tinged the summit of many a little purple wave, and boats with their colours flying, and their white sails glistening, skimmed through the yielding waters, bearing happy hearts and merry faces, whilst

officers in their handsome uniforms occupied the stern sheets, and increased the attractiveness of the picture. There also were the stout bulwarks of British glory, with their bright and armed sides quietly reposing on the surface of the stream, and waiting for opportunity to assert British supremacy on the seas. It was a spectacle to fill the breast with pleasing emotions of animated pride, and as I looked round, the love of country glowed within me as warm and as pure as the gladdening beams that emanated from the radiant orb of day.

From this bright scene I descended to the gloomy place where poor Collins was copfined. It was, however, lighter than the preceding day, as all the hatches had been taken off, and the ports and scuttles opened. Old Wills followed close in my wake, and he stopped facing the prisoner, whom he gazed on for a minute or two without uttering a word. The veteran stood with his hands. folded one in the other behind him-his head held down, and with a look half commisera

tion, half anger, at length he uttered the word "Jem."

The poor fellow at first did not movethere was a deadly paleness on his cheeks, he scarcely raised his eyes, and it was evident there was a strong struggle going on at his heart; but when he heard his name mournfully pronounced by one whom he had learned to respect, the prisoner started-he had been accustomed to the old man's cordial greeting and friendly approbation—he had often listened with gratified pride to the veteran's exclamation, "Well behaved, my hearty!"-but now the tone of his voice was reproachful, though faltering, and Collins felt it the more on the latter account. He gave a convulsive sob, and then assuming a sternness of demeanour, as if determined to crush the feelings that threatened to unman him, he replied, "Yes, old messmate, I am here, hard and fast in the bilboes, but even you shall have no cause to be ashamed of

"I hope so, Jem, I hope so," responded the veteran, more assured; "but I'm think