CHAPTER XXVI.
Adventures at home--I am introduced to my grandfather--He obtains employment for O'Brien and myself, and we join a frigate.
As soon as we were on the deck of the cutter, the lieutenant commanding her inquired of us, in a consequential manner, who we were.

O'Brien replied that we were English prisoners who had escaped.

"Oh, midshipmen, I presume," replied the lieutenant; "I heard that some had contrived to get away." "My name, sir," said O'Brien, "is Lieutenant O'Brien; and if you'll send for a 'Steel's List,' I will have the honour of pointing it out to you.
This young gentleman is Mr Peter Simple, midshipman, and grandson to the Right Honourable Lord Viscount Privilege." The lieutenant, who was a little snub-nosed man, with a pimply face, then altered his manner towards us, and begged we would step down into the cabin, where he offered, what perhaps was the greatest of all luxuries to us, some English cheese and bottled porter.

"Pray," said he, "did you see anything of one of my officers, who was taken prisoner when I was sent with despatches to the Mediterranean fleet ?" "May I first ask the name of your lively little craft ?" said O'Brien.
"'The Snapper,'" replied the lieutenant.
"Och, murder; sure enough we met him.

He was sent to Verdun, but we had the pleasure of his company _en route_ as far as Montpelier.