abhor and detest the damnable doctrine of popery," &c. to save time, each person was desired to repeat after the first, whose name we shall suppose to be John Smith, and who very gravely began, "I, John Smith," when the second, whose name was Thomas somebody or another, doubtlessly impressed with his deep knowledge of this doctrine, repeated verbatim, sure enough, "I, John Smith," but a warning smile of correction prevented a farther volcanic denunciation of the tenets of the poor Pope. Morland had the good fortune to be appointed to a frigate; and after several fruitless cruises, they fell in with, and, at the end of a sharp action, captured an enemy's ship of superior force, which they brought to that magnificent seaport-Plymouth. CHAPTER XV. Oh! these are looks and tones which dart MOORE. A FEW days after their arrival, there was a ball, which most of the officers of the ship attended. These scenes of revelry, during the war, were of a brilliant description, as well from the people of fashion who occasionally isited their military and naval friends, as from the various uniforms of the persons belonging to these professions. The action of the frigate, like every battle great or small, became the table-talk of the day. And when the captain and officers of the victorious ship entered the ball-room, the band thick wood, on the narrow footpath which was pointed out by the fisherman, as leading to a position from whence the harbour alluded to could be seen. Their guide, on leaving them, had said it was only a league to the place; but this, as most other undefined traveller's distances, seemed, like distant objects, to enlarge as they advanced. The grey shades of evening had commenced to shed their quiet influence on the "glimmering landscape," when the little party reached the wished-for spot, from whence they perceived the masts of a vessel peeping above a ridge of coppice-wood that margined the shore. It was now determined that Morland, and his trustworthy cockswain, Ben Mot, should creep down among the underwood, close to the beach, and reconnoitre. Ben, who was a spirited and expert seaman, and moreover a great favourite, from his known perseverance and good-humour under all dif. ficulties, no sooner heard the proposition, than he hitched up his trowsers with a peculiar jerk-rolled the quid in his mouth-felt the pistol by his side-laughed at the damp powder-drew his cutlass a little out of the scabbard, and leaving his comrades with a broad grin, 10lled along after his young commander through the wood. Arrived at the declivity of the little hill, they distinctly saw there was only a galliot in the harbour; but, from an undulation in the woodland, it was impossible to discern what they had to expect on the beach. "Down on all-fours, Mot," said Morland, "and let us ascertain perfectly what we have to trust to." They accordingly crawled on their hands and knees, among the broom and underwood, till they were within fifty yards of the water, and clearly saw that the harbour only contained one vessel, and that a wooden storehouse and two small skiffs were all that graced the beach. "What think you of this ?" said Morland. "It's a regular built go, Sir," replied Ben. "Go, then, and bring the rest of the men cautiously here, and we will lie in wait for a fair opportunity," said Morland; who soon afterwards saw his men crawling, one after another, among the shrubs and grass, and place themselves by his side. It was arranged that they should wait till the crew of the vessel, whose voices were distinctly heard from where they lay in ambush, should go below to their evening meal, and then board her in the skiffs. we 'll "Yes," said Ben to his companions, board her in the smoke, my boys; though, by my faith, I think there will little come from my pistol !" The evening advanced, the crout bell rang. "Make ready, men!" said Morland. "Look out! Now's our time, they're all below! Down to the beach, and launch the skiffsfour in one, three in the other, and make for |