Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 2.djvu/128

 making sail after another. We stood after her with all the sail we could conveniently carry

"Pray," said the captain, " might I offer you a bit of something to eat? I guess you ha'n't dined yet, as it isn't quite meridian."

I thanked him, and accepted his offer: he ran down instantly to the cabin, as if to prepare for my reception; but I rather thought he wished to place some articles out of my sight, and this proved to be the case, for he stole a bag of dollars out of the cargo. In a short time, I wasinvited down. <A leg of cured pork, and a roasted fowl, were very acceptable toa midshipman at any time, but particularly so to me; and, when accompanied by a few glasses of the Madeira, the barometer of my spirits rose in proportion to the depression of his.

"Come, captain," said I, filling a bumper of claret, "here's to a long and bloody war."

"D—n the dog that wont say amen to that," said the master; "but where do you