The young officer, who was a mild, gentlemanly, and courageous youth, did as he was bidden. I was perfectly astonished: I had been accustomed to sail with gentlemen. I had heard of martinets, and disciplinarians, and foul-mouthed captains; but this outdid all I ever could have conceived, and much more than I thought ever could have been submitted to by any correct officer. Roused to indignation, and determined not to be treated in this manner, I again walked up to him, and requested leave to go on shore. "You have had your answer, sir." "Yes, I have, sir," said I, "and in language that I never before heard on His Majesty's quarter-deck. I joined this ship as an officer and a gentleman, and as such I will be treated." "Mutiny, by God!" roared the captain. "Cock-a-hoop with your new commission, before the ink is dry." "As you please, sir," I replied; "but I shall write a letter to the port-admiral, stating the circumstances and requesting leave of absence; and that letter I shall trouble you to forward." "I'll be damned if I do!" said he. "Then, sir," said I, "as you have refused to forward it, and in the presence of all the officers in the ship's company, I shall forward it without troubling you." This last shot of mine seemed to produce the same effect upon him that the last round does upon a beaten boxer; he did not come to time, but, muttering something, dived down the companion, and went into his cabin. The first lieutenant now came up, and congratulated me on my victory. "You have puzzled and muzzled the bear completely," said he; "I have long wanted a coadjutor like yourself. Wilson, who is going to leave us, is the best creature that ever lived: but though brave as a lion before an enemy, he is cowed by this incarnate devil." Our conversation was interrupted by a message from the captain, who desired to speak with me in his cabin. I went down; he received me with the benignant smile of our first acquaintance. "Mr Mildmay," said he, "I always assume a little tartness with my officers when they first join," ("and when they quit you too," thought I), "not only to prove to them that I am, and will be, the captain of my own ship, but also as an example to the men, who, when they see what the officers are forced to put up with, feel themselves more contented with their lot, and obey more readily; but, as I told you before, the comfort of my officers is my constant study--you are welcome to go ashore, and have twenty-four hours' leave to collect your necessaries." To this harangue I made no reply; but, touching my hat, quitted the cabin I felt so much contempt for the man that I was afraid to speak, lest I should commit myself.