the way to the square, where he again took his station in the ranks of the prisoners. Shortly after, the major commandant came up to us, and asked whether we would accept of our parole, as, in that case, we might travel as we pleased. We consented, with many thanks for his civility and kindness; but I could not help thinking at the time, that the French officers were a little mortified at O'Brien's success, although they were too honourable to express the feeling. I had almost forgot to say, that on our return after the duel, the cutter's midshipman called out to O'Brien, requesting him to state to the commandant that he was also an officer; but O'Brien replied, that there was no evidence for it but his bare word. If he were an officer, he must prove it himself, as everything in his appearance flatly contradicted his assertion. "It's very hard," replied the midshipman, "that because my jacket's a little tarry or so, I must lose my rank." "My dear fellow," replied O'Brien, "it's not because your jacket's a little tarry; it is because what the Frenchman call your _tout ensemble_ is quite disgraceful in an officer. Look at your face in the first puddle, and you'll find that it would dirty the water you look into." "Well, it's very hard," replied the midshipman, "that I must go on eating this black rye bread; and very unkind of you." "It's very kind of me, you spalpeen of the _Snapper_. Prison will be a paradise to you, when you get into good commons. How you'll relish your grub by-and-by! So now shut your pan, or by the tail of Jonah's whale, I'll swear you're a Spaniard." I could not help thinking that O'Brien was very severe upon the poor lad, and I expostulated with him afterwards. He replied, "Peter, if, as a cutter's midshipman, he is a bit of an officer, the devil a bit is he of a gentleman, either born or bred; and I'm not bound to bail every blackguard-looking chap that I meet. By the head of St. Peter, I would blush to be seen in his company, if I were in the wildest bog in Ireland, with nothing but an old crow as spectator."