Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 1.djvu/108

 "Poor fellow!" said my mother, "what he must have suffered!"

"Oh! I have not told you half yet, my dear mother; I only wonder I am alive."

"Alive, indeed!" said my aunt Julia; " here, my dear, here is a small trifle to help you to replenish the stock you have lost in the service of your country. Noble little fellow! what should we do without sailors?"

I pocketed the little donation—it was a tenpounder; finished my breakfast, by adding a slice of ham and half a french roll to the articles already shipped, and then continued my story.

"The first thing Mr. Handstone said, was, that my chest was too big; and the next thing he said, was, 'tell the carpenter I want him, Here, Mr. Adze, take this chest; reduce it one foot in length, and one in height.' 'Ay, ay, Sir, said Adze; 'come, young gentleman, move off, and give me your key. Sick as I was, I knew remonstrance or prayer were alike