Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 1.djvu/48

 "behold then the worthy nephew of my uncle, Gil Perez, caught like arat in a trap."

Most of my new associates were absent on duty; the 'tween-decks was crammed with casks and cases, and chests, and bags, and hammocks; the noise of the caulkers was resumed over my head and all around me; the stench of bilge water, combining with the smoke of tobacco, the effluvia of gin and beer, the frying of beef-steaks and onions, and red-herrings—the pressure of a dark atmosphere and a heavy shower of rain, all conspired to oppress my spirits, and render me the most miserable dog that ever lived. I had almost resigned myself to despair, when I recollected the captain's inyitation, and mentioned it to Flyblock. "That's — well thought of," said he, "Murphy also dines with him: you can both go together, and I dare say he will be very glad of your company." A captain seldom waits for a midshipman, and we took good care he should not wait for