Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 2.djvu/194

 devil is to carry on the duty, if you go on shore? Shore, eh! I wish there was no shore, and then d—n the dog that couldn't swim! No, Sir; you have had shore enough. The service is going to h—l, Sir! A parcel of brats, with lieutenants' commissions before they should have been clear of the nursery! No, Sir: stay on board, or, d—n me, I'll break you, like an. egg-shell, before you have taken the shine out of that fine new epaulette!. No, no, by G—; no more cats here than catch mice. You stay on board, and do your duty: every man does his duty here; and let me see the —— that don't do it!"

I was in some measure prepared for this sublime harangue; but still there was sufficient room in my mind to admit of great astonishment at this sudden change of wind. I replied that he had promised me leave yesterday, and that, upon the strength of that promise, I had left all my things on shore, and that I was not in any way prepared to go to sea.