he offered his hand the moment he reached the quarter-deck) and been introduced to all the officers, the boatswain piped 'all hands aft;' and the acting commission having been read, the Captain retired for à few minutes with the first lieutenant and his predecessor's steward, who handed him a list of the stock on board, wines, &c. &c.,' which he might take or not, at the prices set against the articles separately, or whatever quantity of either that he pleased. The charges were all fair enough; but there were some which he would chalk down his reasons for rejecting.

Item 1-Fifteen Westphalia Hams.

'Not wanted, where there are good Hocks of Salt Pork.'

Item 2d-Two Kegs Ox Tongues.

'As there are no Women on board, one keg may remain.' 3d Item-Twelve dozen Seltzer Water.

Not wanted whilst there is Salt Water alongside.'

4th Item-Twelve dozen Iced Champagne.

Iced Champagne be

! A commander that can afford it,

has no business in such a craft as the Fowey.

5th Item-Twenty-four lbs. Truffles and Morells.

'Hogs meat!—Refused.'

6th Item-Six dozen pints Prepared Milk.

"Hogs wash! Refused.'

7th Item-Eight dozen Eil de Perdrix.

What the devil's that, Mr. Fortescue?' (addressing the First Lieutenant). Have you a French dictionary?' The book was produced. O-e-i-l-aye. Perdricks' (as he pronounced Perdrixpartridge), 'Partridge eyes. What a mistake the fellow makes! He means those salt-water whistle-belly Newfoundland-things,

K

Cranberries! Refused: had quite enough of 'em upon the North American station.'

'Now, Steward, you may tranship all the rejected articles as soon as you please, to the Guardship, until otherwise disposed of by Captain ; and give my compliments to him, with this order upon my agent, Mr. Salter, to pay for the live stock, Port, Sherry, &c., and that will be a receipt of itself-L218: 13s.: 6d.-a pretty good stock for an Acting Commander !'

At four p.m., the old Fowey was got under weigh, to the tune of Paddy O'Rafferty, and under all sail through the Needles.'

'Jack' soon found a mighty difference between the Guardship and a sea-goer; and in less than a week was 'broke-in' to 'pick plums,' as stoning dirty raisins was called, and to whistle whilst he did it; and if he left off for a moment, whack would his shoulders resound with the Day Mate's colt. The Admiralty had countermanded the original orders; and it was supposed, for the purpose of giving Captain a man of powerful family and interest, an opportunity of resuming his command. The orders were, to cruize within a certain latitude and longitude, for one month; and then to proceed to Santa Cruz, Teneriffe-and there wait for further instructions. The Acting Commander knew his man, and the interest employed (but fruitlessly) to get the Fowey kept on the HOME station, and for himself was not alarmed: but the ship's company could not divest themselves of their dread of seeing their Tartar restored to health, and returned to his command, and that was a damper upon their naturally jovial spirits.

'Old Palm' was appointed to the Fowey, at the Captain's request; and, on coming on board from the Guard Ship, whither he had returned for his traps, in the boat carrying the rejected wine, &c. &c., he was installed Cabin Steward, to Jack's' great delight and satisfaction.

As the Fowey stood down channel, those of the watch below who had fishing lines, availed themselves of the 'mackerel' breeze, to try the attractive powers of a bit of red cloth and a six-pence. The

mackerel bit voraciously, and afforded excellent sport; and enough was taken to supply the officers and ship's company for two days; thereby, making the fresh beef 'hold out' longer. The splendid colors of the mackerel (scomber communis) when first taken from its native element, the deep blue of the back, gradually softening into a lighter tinge, until merged in the most brilliant silver shot with gold, with here and there a rainbow hue as a momentary visitor, giving additional glory to the dying animal, can be formed no adequate idea of, from the appearance it presents, when dead, upon the slab of the fishmonger.

CHAPTER XX.

A STRANGE SAIL MAKING TOWARDS THE "FOWEY."-THE PREPARA-
TION FOR ACTION. THE "FOWEY'S" FIRST BROADSIDE IN THE
ENEMY'S STERN. — CHANGE OF THE WEATHER.
ENEMY.-THE CAPTURE OF A FRENCH BRIG IN THE BAY OF BISCAY.

LOSS OF THE

"To meet the foe, she lies prepared :
Her guns run out, her decks all cleared,
Preventer braces rove.

Stopper'd is every top-sail sheet,

Slung all her yards; her hammock neat
Afresh are stowed; her shot complete;
And in her tops above,

And ranged along her gangways, stand
Of musketeers, a numerous band
That boast, with quick unerring aim,
The rage of fiercest foes to tame.

THE Fowey had been but ten days at sea, during which she had had several fruitless chases, when the man at the mast-head called out a strange sail,' and pointed to the quarter which was E. by S. The First Lieutenant instantly went to the mast head with his glass, and hailed the quarter deck that she was a large ship under her topsails.' In less than five minutes, evidently seeing the Fowey, she set top-gallant sails and hauled to the wind, making short

6

bounds towards the Fowey, at that time steering E. by N. with variable winds from the westward. The Fowey hoisted private signal for the day but it was not answered. All hands to quarters;' marine drummer hard at it with 'Cheer up, my lads, 'tis to glory we steer-and in five minutes the ship was cleared for action; every body was at his station, and every one knew his duty. This was about one p.m. At two p.m, the stranger hoisted an English red ensign. That won't do, monseer,' said the delighted Captain, who began to feel his epaulet really strapped to his left shoulder- you show your teeth too plainly whiz came a round shot from the stranger, (who hoisted the Tri-color ensign and broad pendant at the main) which fell short. French twenty-four's, I think, Mr. Fortescue,' said the Captain. 'I think so, Sir, and long ones too.' 'Well, boys, we must do our best; and now let every man lie down at his quarters snug and close to the deck.'

The enemy still trying the range of her guns, at twenty minutes past two p.m., bang went a shot through the foretopmast staysail : 'Give her a long nine, there forward.' 'Aye, aye, Sir.' 'Bang,'

6

• Right into her, Sir,' give her another bang'-capital well done. 'Now, my lads, stand by your guns; and young gentleman, do you attend the light room.' Jack showed obedience, but piped his eye' for the first time on shipboard. Well, Sir, if you like the deck best, stay where you are and mind the powder at the gunroom skylight. Aye, aye, Sir,' said the delighted younker,' brightening up like a flying fish in the sun's rays.

It fell calm-enemy blazing away-Fowey playing at nine-pins for her caironades would only get heated without doing execution. Found the enemy a large black-sided French forty-four; nothing but bringing down a stick' could save the Fowey if the enemy had the breeze first; Fowey hulled her with every shot; but the enemy fired high, and riddled the sails without hurting the running rigging. A seven p.m. a light breeze sprung up-Fowey had it first, and gave a full broadside into the enemy's stern; then, but the log may as well be quoted 'Made all sail upon the larboard tack, steering E. by N.; enemy not long in getting it, and did the same; and

stood abreast of her about two miles distant; but she closed to windward of Fowey, if any thing. At 9 15, enemy bore S. E. Southerly. Fowey tacked to the N. W. to see if monsieur' would follow her; but as the Enemy still stood towards Fowey, tacked again to the Eastward. The Enemy then made a short board towards Fowey, and signalized a consort, as was supposed, with three lights vertically from Mizen Peak and a gun to leeward, which was answered with two guns and a blue light. At eleven, Enemy hove about again; and at midnight, fired two guns to leeward, and set jib and spanker, and bore off the Fowey S. by W. about three miles, both the Enemy's ships keeping their wind close, and endeavouring to get into the Fowey's wake. At 2, a.m., squally, with heavy rain. Enemy bore S. W. Fowey cracking on under all she could carry ; but as the morn becoming obscured, temporarily lost sight of the Enemy. The morning continuing thick, with frequent squalls and heavy rain, the Foweg saw nothing more of the 'monseers' till 10, a.m., when they were half courses down from Fowey's main-top, bearing S. S. W., steering after her with all sail set. How heartily did the Foweys' pray for one of our own frigates to heave in sight! Alas! it was in vain; and at 11, lost sight of the Enemy altogether.

As matters were, the chief subject of rejoicing was, that not a man had been killed or wounded; nor a spar hit, nor running rigging injured but the anticipations of the preceding day, like their calculations of prize money, had not only ended in 'smoke;' but they rejoiced that the Fowey had not been made a Scotch prize of,' (taken herself), and praised her heels to the skies. Several shot had hulled her-five 'twixt wind and water, which were soon plugged up from the wings'-French twenty-four pounders! All hands being wet to the skin, and very much exhausted, the main-brace was spliced for the fourth time, and as soon as the magazines and guns were secured, the galley fire was lighted; and the next order was the most delightful to Jack's ears, 'pipe to breakfast,' by which time, he was reconciled to a fight upon blue water, and to the truth of the adage, that

"He who fights, and runs away, may live to fight another day!