My father, in his answer, observed that whatever might have been their motives, my messmates had done me a friendly act; and that as I had lost my money by my own carelessness, I must not expect that he would allow me any more pocket-money.

But my mother, who added a postscript to his letter, slipped in a five-pound note, and I do believe that it was with my father's sanction, although he pretended to be very angry at my forgetting his injunctions.

This timely relief made me quite comfortable again.

What a pleasure it is to receive a letter from one's friends when far away, especially when there is same money in it! A few days before this, Mr Falcon, the first lieutenant, ordered me to put on my side-arms to go away on duty.

I replied that I had neither dirk nor cocked hat, although I had applied for them.