Tom at once accepted the invitation, and persuaded me to do so, though I wanted to see some of the fun of Plymouth, which my other shipmates had talked about. I won't describe the scenes which took place on board,-- the noise and uproar,--the characters of all descriptions who crowded the ship, eager to take possession of the sailors, or rather of the money which lined their pockets. I saw very much the contrary of fun in it. We had then a midshipman's paying-off dinner on shore, to which some of the ward-room officers were invited. The wine flowed freely. Healths were drunk and sentiments given, and in a short time most of the party became very uproarious, those who were sober enough on shore being as bad as the rest. "Come, Paddy," said Nettleship, "we have to get home to my mother's house to-night, and I can't introduce you, remember, if you're not quite yourself." Tom Pim was ready. "So am I," I said. "I'll not take another drop." Our intended departure being discovered, we were assailed with hoots, and shouts, and groans. "Never mind them," said Nettleship. "If we were to be moved by that sort of stuff, those very fellows would be the first to laugh at us another day." On seeing us gaining the door, several jumped up, intending to bring us back. "Run for it, Paddy; run, Tom," cried Nettleship. "I'll guard your retreat. They'll not stop me." "Hands off," he shouted, as Grumpus and some others attempted to seize him. "I have made up my mind to go, and go I will, though every one in the room were to jump up and try to bar my passage." Tom and I got safe into the street, where we were joined by Larry, who had been waiting for us; and Nettleship came up, saying that he had got clear off, at the cost of flooring two or three of his assailants. "Not a satisfactory way of parting from old friends," he said, "but the only one which circumstances would permit."