The ship is in disorder, and crowded with the variety of stock and spare stores which are obliged to be taken on board in a hurry, and have not yet been properly secured in their places.

The first lieutenant is cross, the officers are grave, and the poor midshipmen, with all their own little comforts to attend to, are harassed and driven about like post-horses.

"Mr Simple," inquired the first lieutenant, "where do you come from ?" "From the gun wharf, sir, with the gunner's spare blocks, and breechings." "Very well--send the marines aft to clear the boat, and pipe away the first putter.

Mr Simple, jump into the first cutter, and go to Mount Wise for the officers.

Be careful that none of your men leave the boat.
Come, be smart." Now, I had been away the whole morning, and it was then half-past one, and I had had no dinner: but I said nothing, and went into the boat.