PETER SIMPLE.

The ship remained in Gibraltar bay about three weeks, during which time we had re-fitted the rigging fore and aft, re-stowed and cleaned the hold, and painted outside. She never looked more beautiful than she did, when in obedience to our orders we made sail to join the admiral. We passed Europa Point with a fair wind, and at sunset we were sixty miles from the rock, yet it was distinctly to be seen, like a blue cloud, but the outline perfectly correct. I mention this, as perhaps my reader would not have believed that it was possible to see land at such a distance. We steered for Cape de Gatte, and the next day were close in shore. I was very much delighted with the Spanish coast, mountain upon mountain, hill upon hill, covered with vines nearly to their summits. We might have gone on shore at some places, for at that time we were friendly with the Spaniards, but the captain was in too great a hurry to join the admiral. We had very light winds, and a day or two afterwards we were off Valencia, nearly becalmed. I was on the gangway, looking through a telescope at the houses and gardens round the city, when Mr. Chucks, the boatswain, came up to me. Mr. Simple, oblige me with that glass a moment, I wish to see if a building still remains there, which I have some reason to remember.'

What, were you ever on shore there?' said I,

Yes I was, Mr. Simple, and nearly stranded, but I got off again without much damage.'

How do you mean, were you wrecked, then?'

Not my ship, Mr. Simple, but my peace of mind was for some time; but it's many years ago, when I was first made boatswain of a corvette (during this conversation he was looking through the telescope;) yes, there it is,' said he, 'I have it in the field. Look, Mr. Simple, do you see a small church, with a spire of glazed tiles, shining like a needle "Yes, I do,'

Well, then, just above it, a little to the right, there is a long white house, with four small windows below the grove of orange trees." "I see it,' replied I; "but what about that house, Mr. Chucks?' "Why, thereby hangs a tale,' replied he, giving a sigh, which raised and then lowered the frill of his shirt at least six inches.

"Why, what is the mystery, Mr. Chucks?'

I'll tell you, Mr. Simple. With one who lived in that house, I was for the first, and for the last time, in love.'

Indeed! I should like very much to hear the story.?

'So you shall, Mr. Simple, but I must beg that you will not mention it, as young gentlemen are apt to quiz; and I think that being quizzed, hurts my authority with the men. It is now about sixteen years back, we were then on good terms with the Spaniards, as we are now. I was then little more than thirty years old, and had just received my warrant as boatswain. I was considered a well-looking young man at that time, although lately I have, to a certain degree, got the better of that.' Well, I consider you a remarkably good-looking man now, Mr. Chucks."

Thank you, Mr. Simple; but nothing improves by age that I know of except rum. I used to dress very smart, and "cut the boatswain "

* Continued from p.485.

when I was on shore; and perhaps I had not lost so much of the polish I had picked up in good society. One evening I was walking in the Plaza, when I saw a female a-head, who appeared to be the prettiest moulded little vessel that I ever cast my eyes on. I followed in ber wake, and examined her; such a clean run I never beheld-so neat, too, in all her rigging-everything so nicely stowed under hatches. And then she sailed along in such a style, at one moment lifting so lightly, just like a frigate, with her topsails on the caps, that can't help going along. At another time, as she turned a corner, sharp up in the wind -wake as straight as an arrow-no leeway. I made all sail to sheer along side of her, and when under her quarter, examined her close. Never saw such a fine swell in the counter, and all so trim-no ropes towing overboard. Well, Mr. Simple, I said to myself, "D-n it, if her figure-head and bows be finished off by the same builder, she's perfect." So I shot a-head, and yawed a little caught a peep at her through her veil, and saw two black eyes as bright as beads, and as large as damsons. I saw quite enough, and not wishing to frighten her, I dropped astern. Shortly afterwards she altered her course, steering for that white house. Just as she was abreast of it, and I playing about her weather quarter, the priests came by in procession, taking the host to somebody who was dying. My little frigate lowered her top-gallant sails out of respect, as other nations used to do, and ought now, and be d-d to them, whenever they pass the flag of old England

'How do you mean?' inquired I.

'I mean that she spread her white handkerchief, which fluttered in her hand as she went along, and knelt down upon it on one knee. I did the same, because I was obliged to heave to, to keep my station, and I thought that if she saw me, it would please her. When she got up, L. was on my legs also; but in my hurry, I had not chosen a very clean place, and I found out, when I got up again, that my white jean trowsers were in a shocking mess. The young lady turned round, and seeing my misfortune, laughed, and then went into the white house, while I stood there like a fool, first looking at the door of the house, and then at my trowsers. However, I thought that I might make it the means of being acquainted with her, so I went to the door and knocked. An old gentleman in a large cloak, who was her father, came out; I pointed to my trowsers, and requested him in Spanish to allow me a little water to clean them. The daughter then came from within, and told her father how the accident had happened. The old gentleman was surprised that an English officer was so good a Christian, and appeared to be pleased. He asked me very politely to come in, and sent an old woman for some water. I observed that he was smoking a bit of paper, and having very fortunately about a couple of dozen of real Havannas in my pocket, (for I never smoke anything else, Mr. Simple, it being my opinion that ne gentleman can,) I took them out, and begged his acceptance of them. His eyes glistened at the sight of them, but he refused to take more than one; however, I insisted upon his taking the whole bundle, telling him that I had plenty more on board, reserving one for myself, that I might smoke it with him. He then requested me to sit down, and the old woman brought some sour wine, which I declared was very good, although it made me quite ill afterwards. He inquired of me whether I was a good Christian. I replied that I was. I knew that he meant a Catholic, for they call us heretics, Mr. Simple. The daughter then came in without her veil, and she was perfection; but I did not look at her, or pay

her any attention after the first salutation, I was so afraid of making the old gentleman suspicious. He then asked what I was what sort of officer-was I captain. I replied that I was not. Was I 'tenente, which means lieutenant; I answered that I was not, again, but with an air of contempt, as if I was something better. What was I then. I did not know the Spanish for boatswain, and, to tell the truth, I was ashamed of my condition. I knew that there was an officer in Spain called corregidor, which means a corrector in English, or one who punishes. Now I thought that quite near enough for my purpose, and I replied that I was the corregidor. Now, Mr. Simple, a corregidor in Spain is a person of rank and consequence, so they imagined that I must be the same, and they appeared to be pleased. The young lady then inquired if I was of good family, whether I was a gentleman or not. I replied that I hoped so. I remained with them for half an hour more, when my cigar was finished; I then rose, and thanking the old gentleman for his civility, begged that I might be allowed to bring him a few more cigars, and took my leave. The daughter opened the street door, and I could not refrain from taking her hand, and kissing it

'Where's Mr. Chucks? call the boatswain there forward,' hollaed out the first lieutenant.

Here I am, sir,' replied Mr. Chucks, hastening aft, and leaving me and his story.

The captain of the maintop reports the breast backstay much chafed in the serving. Go up and examine it,' said the first lieutenant.

'Yes, sir,' replied the boatswain, who immediately went up the rigging.

And, Mr. Simple, attend to the men scraping the spots off the quarter-deck,'

'Yes, sir,' replied I; and thus our conversation was broken up.

The weather changed that night, and we had a succession of rain and baffling winds for six or seven days, during which I had no opportunity of hearing the remainder of the boatswain's history. We joined the fleet of Toulon, closed the admiral's ship, and the captain went on board to pay his respects. When he returned, we found out through the first lieutenant, that we were to remain with the fleet until the arrival of another frigate, expected in about a fortnight, and then the admiral had promised that we should have a cruize. The second day after we had joined, we were ordered to form part of the in-shore squadron, consisting of two line-of-battle ships, and four frigates. The French fleet used to come out and manoeuvre within range of their batteries, or if they proceeded further from the shore, they took good care that they had a leading wind to return again into port. We had been in shore about a week, every day running close in, and counting the French fleet in the harbor, to see that they were all safe, and reporting it to the admiral by signal, when one fine inorning, the whole of the French vessels were perceived to hoist their topsails, and in less than an hour they were under weigh, and came out of the harbor. We were always prepared for action, night and day, and indeed often exchanged a shot or two with the batteries when we reconnoitered; the in-shore squadron could not of course cope with the whole French fleet, and our own was about twelve miles in the offing, but the captain of the line-of-battle ship who commanded us, hove too, as if in defiance, hoping to entice them further out. This was not very easy to do, as the French knew that a shift of wind might put it out of their power to refuse an action, which was what they would

avoid, and what we were so anxious to bring about. I say we, speaking of the English, not of myself, for to tell the truth, I was not so very anxious. I was not exactly afraid, but I had an unpleasant sensation at the noise of a cannon ball, which I had not as yet got over. However, four of the French frigates made sail towards us, and hove to, when within four miles, three or four line-of-battle ships following them, as if to support them. Our captain made signal for permission to close the enemy, which was granted, with our pennants, and those of another frigate. We immediately made all sail, beat to quarters, put out the fires, and opened the magazines. The French line-of-battle ships perceiving that only two of our frigates were sent against their four, hove to at about the same distance from their frigates, as our line-of-battle ships and other frigates were from us. In the meantime, our main fleet continued to work in shore under a press of sail, and the French main fleet also gradually approached the detached ships. The whole scene reminded me of the tournaments I had read of; it was a challenge in the lists, only that the enemy were two to one; a fair acknowledgement on their part, of our superiority. In about an hour we closed so near, that the French frigates made sail and commenced firing. We reserved our fire until within a quarter of a mile, when we poured our broadside into the headmost frigate, exchanging with her on opposite tacks. The Sea-horse, who followed us, also gave her a broadside. In this way we exchanged broadsides with the whole four, and we had the best of it, for they could not load so fast as we could. We were both ready again for the frigates as they passed us, but they were not ready with their broadside for the Sea-horse, who followed us very closely, so that they had two broadsides each, and we had only four in the Diomede, the Sea-horse not having one. Our rigging was cut up a great deal, and we had six or seven men wounded, but none killed. The French frigates suffered more, and their admiral perceiving that they were cut up a good deal, made the signal of recall. In the meantime we had both tacked, and were ranging up on the weather quarter of the sternmost frigate; the line-of-battle ships perceiving this, ran down with the wind, two points free, to support their frigates, and our in-shore squadron made all sail to support us, nearly laying up for where we were. But the wind was what is called at sea, a soldier's wind, that is, blowing so that the ships could lie either way, so as to run out or into the harbor, and the French frigates, in obedience to their orders, made sail for their fleet in shore, the line-ofbattle ships coming out to support them. But our captain would not give it up, although we all continued to near the French line-of-battle ships every minute-we ran in with the frigates, exchanging broadsides with them as fast as we could. One of them lost her fore topmast, and dropped astern, and we hoped to cut her off, but the others shortened sail to support her. This continued for about twenty minutes, when the French line-of-battle ships were not more than a mile from us, and our own commodore had made the signal of our recall, for he thought that we should be overpowered and taken. But the Sea-horse, who saw the recall up, did not repeat it, and our captain was determined not to see it, and ordered the signal man not to look that way. The action continued, two of the French frigates were cut to pieces, and complete wrecks, when the French line-of-battle ships commenced firing. It was then high time to be off. We each of us poured in another broadside, and then wore round for our own squadron, which were about four miles off, and rather to leeward, standing in to our assistance. As we wore

round, our main topmast, which had been badly wounded, fell over the side, and the French perceiving this, made all sail, with the hope of capturing us; but the Sea-horse remained with us, and we threw up in the wind, and raked them until they were within two cables' lengths of us. Then we stood on for our own ships; at last one of the line-of-battle ships, who sailed as well as the frigates, came abreast of us, and poured in a broadside, which brought everything about our ears, and I thought we must be taken; but on the contrary, although we lost several men, the captain said to the first lieutenant, Now, if they only wait a little longer, they are nabbed, as sure as fate." Just at this moment, our own line-of-battle ships opened their fire, and then the tables were turned. The French tacked, and stood in as fast as they could, followed by the in-shore squadron, with the exception of our ship, which was too much crippled to chase them. One of their frigates had taken in tow the other, who had lost her topmast, and our squadron came up with her very fast. The English fleet were also within three miles, standing in, and the French fleet standing out, to the assistance of the other ships which had been engaged. I thought, and so did every body, that there would be a general action, but we were disappointed; the frigate which towed the other, finding that she could not escape, cast her off, and left her to her fate, which was to haul down her colors to the commodore of the in-shore squadron. The chase was continued until the whole of the French vessels were close under their batteries, and then our fleet returned to its station with the prize, which proved to be the Narcisse, of thirty-six guns, Captain Le Pelleteon. Our captain obtained a great deal of credit for his gallant behavior. We had three men killed, and Robinson, the midshipman, and ten men wounded, some of them severely. I think this action cured me of my fear of a cannon ball, for during the few days we remained with the fleet, we often were fired at when we reconnoitered, but I did not care anything for them. About the time she was expected, the frigate joined, and we had permission to part company. But before I proceed with the history of our cruize, I shall mention the circumstances attending a court martial, which took place during the time that we were with the fleet, our captain having been recalled from the in-shore squadron to sit as one of the members. I was the midshipman appointed to the captain's gig, and remained on board of the admiral's ship during the whole of the time that the court was sitting. Two seamen, one an Englishman, and the other a Frenchman, were tried for desertion from one of our frigates. They had left their ship about three months, when the frigate captured a French privateer, and found them on board as part of her crew. For the Englishman, of course, there was no defence; he merited the punishment of death, to which he was immediately sentenced. There may be some excuse for desertion, when we consider that the seamen are taken into the service by force, but there could be none for fighting against his country. the case of the Frenchman was different. He was born and bred in France, had been one of the crew of the French gun-boats at Cadiz, where he had been made a prisoner by the Spaniards, and expecting his throat to be cut every day, had contrived to escape on board of the frigate lying in the harbor, and entered into our service, I really believe to save his life. He was nearly two years in the frigate before he could find an opportunity of deserting from her, and returning to France, when he joined the French privateer. During the time that he was in the frigate, he bore an excellent character. The greatest point against

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