Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 2.djvu/201

 Majesty's navy observe, that the case was unique of its kind—such a character as Captain G ——— and, for reasons which I shall give, will be still was rarely met with in the navy then, more rare in future. The first lieutenant told me that I had acted very judiciously in resisting at first his undue exertion of authority; that he was at once a tyrant, a bully, and a coward, and would be careful how he attacked me again. "But be on your guard," said he, "he will never forgive you; and, when he is most agreeable, there is the most, mischief to be dreaded. He will lull you into security, and, whenever he can catch you tripping, he will try you by a.court-martial. You had better go on shore, and settle all your business, and, if possible, be on board before your leave of is out. It was only your threat of writing to the port admiral that procured you leave of absence. You have nothing to thank him for: he would have kept you on board if he dared, I have never quitted the ship since I joined