"Why, we did look up the hatchway several times, but there was something so awful, and, I may say, so un-English-like, in the appearance of that officer, with his drawn sword, that we were afraid; we could not imagine into whose hands the vessel had fallen--we thought it had been captured by the Yahoos." "Houyhnhnms, more likely. You'll find I'm a bit of a horse," replied Jerry, in a passion. "By Jove, then, you're only fit for the hounds," observed the gentleman with oblique vision; "I should order you--" "Would you? Well, now I'll order you, sir," replied the youngster, whose anger made him quite forget the presence of his commanding officer--"Have the goodness to step into that boat." "And I shall order you, Mr J---," observed the master, with asperity--"I order you to go into that boat, and take these gentlemen on board, and to hold your tongue." "Ay, ay, sir. This way, sir," said Jerry to Mr Peter, making him a polite bow, and pointing to the boat at the gangway--"In that direction, sir, if you please," continued Jerry, bowing to Mr Paul, and pointing to the quarter of the vessel. "And why in that direction, sir?" observed Paul, "I am going on board of the frigate." "I know it, sir; it was considerate on my part: I was allowing for the angle of obliquity in your vision. You would have exactly fetched the boat." The indignation of Mr Paul was now at its height; and Pearce, the master, who was much annoyed at Jerry's excessive impertinence, which he knew Captain M--- would never have overlooked, detained the boat for a minute, while he wrote a few lines to Price, requesting him to send the bearer of it to the masthead, upon delivery, for his impertinent conduct. "Mr J---, take this on board, and deliver it from me to the commanding officer." "Ay, ay, sir," replied Jerry. "Shove off there, forward." Mr Peter looked Jerry earnestly in his face for some time, as they were pulling on board. "Well now, damn it, I like you, if it's only for your excessive impudence." "A negative sort of commendation, but I believe it the only one that he has," replied the other, in a surly tone. "Highly flattered, sir," replied Jerry to Mr Peter, "that you should perceive anything to induce you to like me; but I am sorry I cannot return the compliment, for I really cannot perceive anything to like you for. As for your friend there, I can only say, that I detest all _crooked_ ways.--In bow forward!--way enough. Now, gentlemen, with your permission, I'll show you the road," said the youngster, climbing up the side.