The Merry Past 



nights, to the annoyance of the landlord and his 

 guests, who could not rest for the boatswain's pipe. 

 The landlord remonstrated in vain ; the guests 

 threatened to leave an inn so dreadfully haunted ; 

 but the captain was inflexible, until mine host in- 

 formed him, with many cringes and bows, that he was 

 willing to forego any charge for the three nights' 

 lodging if the captain would consent to sleep on 

 board his ship, where he might 'pi'pe all hands as fre- 

 quently as he pleased. 



The sailors of the past, whilst generally bluff and 

 good-natured, were capable of going to considerable 

 lengths when provoked. 



A naval captain being purveyor or commissary- 

 general of the stores intended for the West India 

 expedition, some delay in the necessary preparations 

 occurred in his office. The admiral commanding the 

 expedition called on him, and in harsh terms censured 

 the neglect. The captain replied with warmth, on 

 which the other collared him ; a scuffle ensued, in 

 which the captain took the admiral in his arms, who 

 bellowed lustily : " Don't strike me, you rascal, don't 

 strike me." " No," was the reply, " but I'll be 

 d — d if I don't have the satisfaction of roasting a 

 rear-admiral," and so saying, he carried him towards 

 the fire, on which he would have thrown him but 

 for the interference of the clerks ; as it was, however, 

 he was a good deal scorched. 



Except when they had the good fortune to take 

 part, or be concerned in, some rich capture, most of 

 these officers were none too well dowered with the 



III 



