REMARKABLE MAN 53 



mist, or romantic lialo, in Avliich the real character of the 

 man was not clearly perceptible to those who were 

 scarcely out of their cradle when the tragedy in which 

 this officer played so prominent a part occurred. 



Independently of the circumstances of this extra- 

 ordinary tale, which were but imperfectly known to us, 

 he was considered a very smart officer — was rich in 

 scientific acquirements, and had already begun to give 

 proof of them in a nautical survey of the Indian coasts 

 and in the construction of charts, to the great advantage 

 of the service and the benefit of navigation. What 

 wonder, then, that my curiosity should be excited ! — or 

 that I should seem to feel pleasure in seeing a person 

 who had already made such a noise in the world, or 

 rather had been so frequently of late the topic of con- 

 versation, in our little circle. 



I found him a man somewhat, as I thought, over five- 

 and-thirty, a little above the middle height, attenuated 

 in body, with every appearance of having suffered much 

 from the climate, fatigue, and early and long exposure 

 to the sun ; his features were regular and pleasing, his 

 countenance, though not strongly marked or even bright, 

 was intelligent, his eye clear, his look penetrating ; but 

 there was at that time to my idea a depression or thought- 

 fulness on his brow, an habitual melancholy pervading 

 all his aspect, that told, as I thought, of bygone and 

 severe trials. 



On my introduction but few words passed between us, 

 but enough to inspire me with a respect that required 

 somethino; more than mere rank to account for. Some 

 conversation must have taken place between my captain 



