Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 2.djvu/195

 "I promised you leave, did I? Perhaps I did; but that was only to get you on board. I am up to your tricks, you d—d young chaps: when you get on shore, there is no getting you off again. No, no; no-catchè no-habeè! You would not have made your appearance these three days, if I hadn't sugared the trap! Now I have got you, I'll keep you, d—n my eyes!"

I repeated my request to go on shore; but, without condescending to offer any farther reasons, he answered—

"I'd see you d—d first, Sir! And observe, I never admit of expostulation. Nothing affords me more pleasure than to oblige my officers in every thing reasonable; but I never permit reply."

Thought I to myself, "You certainly have escaped from hell, and I do not see how the infernal regions can do without you. You would have been one of the most ingenious tormentors of the damned. Domitian would