Upon which, the sentry recovered his arms, singing in return, "Pass naval officer, drunk on a wheelbarrow--and all's well!" and then appeared a soldier in his fatigue dress, wheeling down the third lieutenant in a wheelbarrow, so tipsy that he could not stand or speak.

Then the sentry challenged again, and the answer was, "Another naval officer, drunk on a wheelbarrow;" upon which the sentry replied as before, "Pass, another naval officer, drunk on a wheelbarrow -- and all's well." This was my friend O'Brien, almost as bad as the third lieutenant; and so they continued for ten minutes, challenging and passing, until they wheeled down the remainder of the party, with the exception of the second lieutenant, who walked arm and arm with the officer who brought down the order for lowering the drawbridge.

I was much shocked, for I considered it very disgraceful; but I afterwards was told, which certainly admitted of some excuse, that the mess were notorious for never permitting any of their guests to leave the table sober.

They were all safely put into the boat, and I am glad to say, the first lieutenant was in bed and did not see them; but I could not help acknowledging the truth of an observation made by one of the men as the officers were handed into the boat, "I say, Bill, if _them_ were _we_, what a precious twisting we should get to-morrow at six bells!" The ship remained in Gibraltar Bay about three weeks, during which time we had refitted the rigging fore and aft, restowed 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.