About dusk we concluded it was time to go on board again, and went down to the quay for that purpose. There we fell in with some English sailors, most of whom had been drinking heavily, and they began to treat us very uncivilly. Of course we resented, and the result was a row. It was necessary for the police to interfere; but before they could do so there was a general fight in which the chances were about even. I had the misfortune to be knocked down, and so hard was the blow that I was virtually insensible. The last I remember of the struggle I was seized by the collar and arms and dragged roughly away. On coming to my senses I found myself in a guard-house, along with Haines and two other men from the Washington, with a sentry on duty to prevent our getting away. Haines had been rubbing my limbs and trying in other ways to restore me, and was very much delighted when I was able to speak. He had a swollen face, so that he was able to see out of but one eye, and that not very well. One of my first questions was as to what they were going to do with us. "I'm sure I don't know," said Haines; "I've been pumping the sentry, and all I can make out is that we've been disorderly, and can't stir till an officer comes to take charge of us." We were hungry and thirsty, and asked for water and something to eat. The sentry called another soldier, who brought us some water, but said it would take money to buy anything else. We gave the fellow a shilling, and he went off to return presently with some fruit, which probably cost him a penny or two, as fruit is very cheap in Gibraltar. The rest of the money he pocketed, or perhaps divided with our guard, as we didn't see it again or get anything for it. It was along in the evening when this happened, and we had to stay in the guard-house until morning, sleeping on the floor, and using our jackets for pillows. The next morning we were taken to what I supposed was the office of the chief of police, or the commandant of the port, I couldn't make out which. A man in uniform looked at us, but asked no questions, and in less than five minutes he ordered us taken on board the receiving-ship in the harbor. This was one of the king's ships that had been pronounced unseaworthy, and was used as a storehouse, prison, or anything else that was required of her; she was especially used to receive sailors till they were drafted off to one of the war-ships that needed men. [Illustration: HE BROUGHT HIS GLASS TO BEAR UPON THE OBJECT. Page 141.] "They're going to take us to serve the king," said Haines; "they want men, and don't care how they get 'em." "But the king hasn't anything to do with us," I replied; "we're Americans, and not his subjects anyhow." "Avast there, my lad," said Haines, "what do you think the king or his officers care about that? Don't you remember our little affair in the early part of the voyage with that British man-of-war?"