Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 1.djvu/96

 "No," said the captain; 'he shall go: the boy knows very well what he is about!"—and away I went, not a little proud at the confidence placed in me.

Farther details of this eventful day are to be found recorded in our national histories; it will, therefore, be needless to repeat them here. When I met my messmates at supper in. the berth, I was sorry to see Murphy among them. I had flattered myself that some fortunate shot would have for ever divested me of any further care on his account; but his time was not come.

"The devil has had a fine haul to-day!" said an old master's mate, as he took off his glass of grog.

"Pity you, and some others I could name, had not been in the net!" thinks I to myself.

"I hope plenty of the lieutenants are bowled out!" said another: "we shall stand some chance then of a little promotion!"