At last I was well enough to return to my duty; and glad I was to be once more walking the quarter-deck, not as before, on the lee, but on the weather side, with an epaulet on my shoulder. Strange to say, there was not a midshipman in the ship (although there were so many) who had served so long as I had, and in consequence there was not any heart-burning or jealousy at my promotion, and I continued on the best terms with my old mess-mates, although gradually lessening the intimacy which existed between us. But that was not intentional on my part; it was the effect of my promotion, and removal from the berth of a set of lads to the company of the senior and older officers. I was now a man, and had the feelings and thoughts of a man. My frolics and tricks were discarded with the midshipman's coat; and in respecting my new rank I respected myself. Now that I walked on the same side of the deck, Captain Delmar very often entered into conversation with me; and although at first it was with caution on his part, yet, when he found that I never presumed, and was, invariably, most respectful, he became on much more intimate terms with me. During three months we continued cruising about without falling in with or having received any intelligence of the French frigate which we were sent in quest of; at last Captain Delmar resolved to change the cruising ground, and we ran up to ten degrees of latitude further north. As we were running up, we fell in with an American brig, and brought her to; a boat was sent for the captain, who, when he came on board, was interrogated by Captain Delmar, as to his having seen or heard of any French vessel on that coast. As the conversation took place on the quarter-deck, and I was officer of the watch, I can repeat it. "Well," replied the American through his nose, "I reckon there is a Frenchman in these parts?" "Have you fallen in with her?" inquired Captain Delmar. "Well, I may say I have; for I lay alongside of her in Cartagena when I was taking in my cargo of hides. You haven't such a thing as a spar as will make me a pole top-gallant mast, captain, have you?" "Is she large or small?" "Well, captain, I don't care whether the spar be large or small; I've two carpenters on board, and I'll soon dub it down into shape." "I inquired about the vessel--I did not refer to the spar," replied Captain Delmar, haughtily. "And I referred to the spar, which is my business, and not to the vessel, which is no consarn of mine," replied the American captain. "You see, master, we have both our wants; you want information, I want a spar: I have no objection to a fair swop." "Well," replied Captain Delmar, rather amused, "give me the information and you shall have the spar." "That's agreed." "Send for the carpenter, and desire him to get out a small spar, Mr ---," said Captain Delmar to the first lieutenant.