killed the messenger?' They brought back his despatches, by which they found out that advice had been sent to the Spanish admiral--I forget his name, something like Magazine--informing him of the supposed crippled state of our squadron. Sir John, taking it for granted that the Spaniards would not lose an opportunity of taking six sail of the line-- more English ships than they had ever taken in their lives--waited a few days to give them time, and then sailed from Lisbon for Cape St. Vincent, where he joined Sir W. Parker, and fell in with the Spaniards sure enough, and a pretty drubbing we gave them. Now, it's not everybody that could tell you all that, Mr Simple." "Well, but now for the action, Swinburne." "Lord bless you, Mr Simple! it's now past seven bells, and I can't fight the battle of St. Vincent in half-an-hour; besides which, it's well worth another glass of grog to hear all about that battle." "Well, you shall have one, Swinburne; only don't forget to tell it to, me." Swinburne and I then separated, and in less than an hour afterwards I was dreaming of despatches--Sir John Jervis--Sir Isaac Coffin--and Spanish messengers. CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR. O'BRIEN'S GOOD ADVICE--CAPTAIN KEARNEY AGAIN DEALS IN THE MARVELLOUS. I do not remember any circumstance in my life which, at that time, lay so heavily on my mind, as the loss of poor Mr Chucks, the boatswain, whom, of course, I took it for granted I should never see again. I believe that the chief cause was, that at the time I entered the service, and every one considered me to be the fool of the family, Mr Chucks and O'Brien were the only two who thought of and treated me differently; and it was their conduct which induced me to apply myself, and encouraged me to exertion. I believe, that many a boy, who, if properly patronised, would turn out well, is, by the injudicious system of brow-beating and ridicule, forced into the wrong path, and, in his despair, throws away all self-confidence, and allows himself to be carried away by the stream to perdition. O'Brien was not very partial to reading himself; he played the German flute remarkably well, and had a very good voice. His chief amusement was practising, or rather playing, which is a very different thing; but although he did not study himself, he always made me come into his cabin for an hour or two every day, and after I had read, repeat to him the contents of the book. By this method, he not only instructed me, but gained a great deal of information himself; for he made so many remarks upon what I had read, that it was impressed upon both our memories. "Well, Peter," he would say, as became into the cabin, "what have you to tell me this morning? Sure it's you that's the schoolmaster, and not me--for I learn from you every day." "I have not read much, O'Brien, to-day, for I have been thinking of poor Mr Chucks."