The Three Clerks

o the British Lion; nor had it even been permitted to him to take a prominent part in such minor affairs as have since occurred; he had not the opportunity of distinguishing himself either at the batt

after the stowage of anchors, and counting fathoms of rope. At last he was again sent afloat as senior lieutenant in a ten-gun brig, and cruised for some time off the coast of Africa, hunting for slavers; and returning after a while from this enterprising employment, he received a sort of amphibious appointment at Devonport. What his duties were here, the author, being in all points a landsman, is unable to describe. Those who were inclined to ridicule Capt

gence, had pretended to think that he was giving the captain information which could not be otherwise than grateful to him, but he was not the less aware that the old man would be furious at being so treated. What, pension him! put him on half-pay-shelf him for life, while he was still anxiously expecting that promotion, that call to higher duties which had so long been his due, and which, now that his powers were matured, could hardly be longer denied to him! And after all that he had done for his country-his ungrateful,

gs of neglected worth, which Captain Cuttwater felt so keenly. A clergyman, or a doctor, or a lawyer, feels himself no whit disgraced if he reaches the end of his worldly labours without special note

e was more grey or more rickety than his neighbours. No children had become men and women at his feet; no new race had gone out into the world and fought their battles under his notice. One set of midshipmen had succeeded to

g for increased allowances, advanced rank, more assistance, less work, higher privileges, immunities which could not be granted, and advantages to which he had no claim. He never took answers, but made every request the subject of a prolonged correspondence; till at last some energetic Assistant-Secretary declared that it should no longer be borne, and Captain Cuttwater was di

st years of his life he was always called at Surbiton Cottage, was a gentleman and a man of honour, in spite of anything that might be said to the contrary at the Admiralty. He was a man with a soft heart, though the end of his nose was so large, so red, and so pimply; and rough as was his usage to little midshipmen when his duty caused him to enc

y powerful effect. He was much given to profane oaths; but knowing that manners required that he should refrain before ladies, and bein

rvation than any of its brother features demanded. But in latter years it had spread itself out in soft, porous, red excrescences, to such an extent as to make it really de

e for liquor; at least so boasted the captain himself, and there were none, at any rate in Devonport, to give him the lie. Woe betide the midshipman whom he should see elated with too much wine; and even to the common sailor who should be tipsy at the wrong time, he wou

t he was like. Great preparations were made for him. Though the summer had nearly commenced, a large fire was kept burning in his bedroom-his bed was newly hung with new curtains; two feather beds were piled on each other, and everything was done which five women could think de

Hampton Court in a fly, and conveyed him to his new home, together with a carpet-bag, a cocked hat, a sword, and a very small portmanteau. When she inquired after the remainder of his lu

ce steadily standing on the rug in the drawing-room; Linda ran to the door and then back again; but Katie bolted out and ens

down from the fly. Katie had never before heard her mother called Bessie, and had never seen

de-is it?' sai

a grown-up woman now. That's Kat

ught that girls must grow twice quicker at Hampton than

eces. 'This is Gertrude, uncle, and this Linda; there is just enough difference f

e somewhat close to the old man's without touching the tremendous nose, a

essie, you don't tell me

s a sad tale for me to tell, is it not?

ing out for husbands

that already, eve

cle Bat; 'I suppose so,

hate Uncle Bat for ever afterwards. Linda made a little attempt to smile, and fel

, and much scandalized the parlour-maid by declaring, immediately on his enteri

u'd like a fire,' bega

n I can hardly carry

ow,' said Katie timidly, fr

d off, the feather beds removed, and everything reduced to pretty much the same state in which it had usually been left for Harry No

coloured handkerchief as big as a mainsail, 'one night i

been stripped of its appendages, he was nearly ready for be

it down again. 'Sherry, ah! yes; very good wine, I am

lared with sorrow

t the ladies of Surbiton Cottage

the captain, al

of Captain Cuttwater's visit saw Mrs. Woodward's own parlour-maid standing at the b

erwards declared, 'she never would have so demeaned h

drank it on the iniquities of those scoundrels at the Admiralty, took himself off t

now been specially requested to appear in good orderly time, in honour of the captain. Their advent had been of course spoken of, and Mrs. Woodward had explained to Uncle Bat that her cousin H

pon, they hardly knew why, to be somewhat less intimate in their manner with the young men than they customarily were; and Harry and Alaric, with quick instinct, reciprocated the feeling. Mrs. Woodward, even, assumed involuntaril

ther coy with her lover, or indifferent; for very few were the occasions on which she could be induced to gratify him with the rapture of a tête-à-tête encounter. So that, in fact, Harry Norman's Sunday visits were generally moments of expected bliss of

od sort of fellow, and a v

at?' sa

er been removed from Devonport, where I a

man's ears, he repented himself of his good nature to Katie, and determined th

money,' said Linda, 'and his coming will

hing to compensate for t

er fond of old gentlemen with long noses; but it seemed to me that he was

inst this, and declared that

sure that he looks on me, especially, as an interloper; and yet I'll

to be his favourit

of gin-and-water last night, but I never can fancy him after that. You can't conceive

e; 'if mamma will have an old sailor to l

dutifully with her uncle while he sipped his obnoxious

sure to distinguish themselves and get on in the world. Had this not been so, she might perhaps have hesitated to receive them so frequently, and on such intimate terms, at Surbiton C

young men, I am su

are,' said

o the young ladie

es them more intimate than young men generally are with young ladies;' and ag

off?' asked the

he has a private fortune. Both o

is the better fellow. At any rate he

n was Mrs. Woodward's special friend, and she fondly indulged the hope of seeing him in time become the hus

out another glass of rum,

r of him; when she had got out of the boat, he could not get her into it again; and as he could not very well leave her in the island, he had been obliged to remain paddling about, while he heard the happy voices of Alaric and the two girls from the lawn. Alaric

, having taken a bit of toast and crammed it in

pportunity to-night,' said

or what?' aske

'we'll tell you by an

if you t

the room with dry shoes and stockings on. 'I

who was thoroughly enjoying himself, and utter

on't make a noise,' sai

ntly to her tea-cup, and then, after taking breath, said, in a very audible whisper

as you please; that is to say, if your mamma will let you,' said Captain Cuttwater, without an

, 'You are very good-natured, uncle.' The girls exchanged looks with Alaric,

le Bat yawned and shook himself, and ask

she agreed with Gertrude, that early habits on the part of her uncle woul

l of rum-and-water.' So the odious spirit-bo

dmiralty, sir, as you

ar

sharply round at the questioner; 'what the deuce should

d. 'But sailors always do call there, for the pleasure, I s

nergy he poured half a glass more rum into his beaker. 'I've done with that game,

d be such fun. Fancy Uncle Bat having twelve son

iss Katie, I wouldn't ca

make tailor

cary, ploughboy, thief,' said Katie. 'That would on

st as far as the present moment goes; but the time is coming

n come too soon-craving the l

posed to contradict his friend, and not ill-inclined to contradict the captain also; 'as far

er; 'oh! if we are to wait for the Govern

m without that must do

aid Norman, scornfully; 'I

et fifteen hundred or two thousand a year, and have the power of robbing an old sailor like me of the reward due to me for sixty years' hard work. Reward! no; but the very wages

ut stealing a glance at the same time at the two girls, who sat over their work at the drawing-room table, 'it's too true; and th

, 'and one that knows s

rman, authoritatively; 'unless it be when some party man, h

id Captain Cuttwa

in the Cabinet, and to do that

aving the ladies' pa

' said

carried his point, finished his grog, took

one something towards c

ar

ere half so cunning,'

cate opinions diametrically opposed to your ow

fum!' sa

l about?' said

himself with Uncle Bat,' said Gertrude; 'an

ured on his part,'

,' said Katie, yawning, 'and I think you

atting over the fire this evening, as was their wont on Sa