Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 2.djvu/198

 "I’ll be d—d if I do!” said he.

“Then, Sir,” said I, “as you have refused to forward it, and in the presence of all the officers and ship’s company, I shall forward it without troubling you.” This last shot of mine seemed to .produce the same effect upon him that the last round does upon a beaten boxer; he did not come to time, but, muttering something, dived down the companion, and went into his cabin.

The first lieutenant now came up, and congratulated me on my victory. "You have puzzled and muzzled the bear completely,” said he; “I have long wanted a coadjutor like yourself. Wilson, who is going to leave us, is the best creature that ever lived: but though brave as a lion before an enemy, he is cowed by this incarnate devil.”

Our conversation was interrupted by a message from the captain, who desired to speak with me in his cabin. I went down; he received me