After dinner, finding himself in a better humour, he turned to Peter, and addressed him--"I say, Peter, I made no answer to your remarks, last night, when we expected to go down; but I have since had time deliberately to weigh your arguments, and I should like you to explain to me where the _comfort_ was that you so strenuously pointed out, for hang me if I can discover it." Seymour again had charge of the first watch; and, notwithstanding that the orders for the prisoners to remain below after dark had been communicated to them, he observed that, on one pretence or other, they occasionally came on deck, and repeatedly put their heads above the hatchway. This conduct reminded him of the conversation which he had overheard, and again it was the subject of his thoughts. Captain M--- had one day observed to him, that if there was no duty going on, he could not employ himself in a more useful manner, when he was walking the deck, than by placing himself or the ship, in difficult situations, and reflecting upon the most eligible means of relief. "Depend upon it," observed Captain M---, "the time will come when you will find it of use to you; and it will create for you a presence of mind, in a sudden dilemma, which may be the salvation of yourself and the ship you are in." Seymour, remembering this injunction, reflected upon what would be the most advisable steps to take, in case of the French prisoners attempting to recapture during his watch on deck. That there were but six, it was very true; but, at the same time, during the night watches there were but five English seamen, and the officer of the watch, on deck. Should the Frenchmen have the boldness to attempt to regain possession of the vessel, there was no doubt that, if the watch could be surprised, the hatches would be secured over those below. What should be the steps, in such a case, that he ought to take? Such were the cogitations of Seymour, when midnight was reported, and Jerry was summoned to relieve the deck--which he did not do, relying upon our hero's good-nature, until past one bell. Up he came with his ready apology--"I really beg your pardon, my dear fellow, but I had not a wink of sleep last night." "Never mind, Jerry, I am not at all sleepy. I had been thinking about these French prisoners--I cannot get their conversation out of my head." "Why, I did not like it myself, when I heard of it," replied Jerry. "I hope they won't attempt it in my watch; it would not give them much trouble to launch me over the quarter--I should skim away, `flying light,' like a lady's bonnet." "What would you do, Jerry, if you perceived them rushing aft to retake the vessel?" inquired Seymour, who was aware of his ready invention. "Skim up the rigging like a lamplighter, to be sure. Not that it would be of much use, if they gained the day--except say a few prayers before I went astern."