“Dick Middlemas,” he said, “is but a fool after all, Menie. I am sure I am not like to forget him, that he should send me a token of remembrance; add if he would be so absurd, could he not have sent me the improved lithotomical apparatus? And what have I, Gideon Gray, to do with the arms of my Lord Gray?--No, no,--my old silver stamp, with the double G upon it, will serve my turn--But put the bonnie dye [Footnote: “Pretty Toy”] away, Menie, my dear--it was kindly meant at any rate.” The reader cannot doubt that the seal was safely and carefully preserved. CHAPTER THE SIXTH. A lazar-house it seemed, wherein were laid Numbers of all diseased. MILTON. After the Captain had finished his business, amongst which he did not forget to have his recruit regularly attested, as a candidate for glory in the service of the Honourable East India Company, the friends left Edinburgh. From thence they got a passage by sea to Newcastle, where Hillary had also some regimental affairs to transact, before he joined his regiment. At Newcastle the Captain had the good luck to find a small brig, commanded by an old acquaintance and school-fellow, which was just about to sail for the Isle of Wight. “I have arranged for our passage with him,” he said to Middlemas--“for when you are at the depot, you can learn a little of your duty, which cannot be so well taught on board of ship, and then I will find it easier to have you promoted.” “Do you mean,” said Richard, “that I am to stay at the Isle of Wight all the time that you are jigging it away in London?” “Ay, indeed do I,” said his comrade, “and it's best for you too; whatever business you have in London, I can do it for you as well, or something better than yourself.” “But I choose to transact my own business myself, Captain Hillary,' said Richard. “Then you ought to have remained your own master, Mr. Cadet Middlemas. At present you are an enlisted recruit of the Honourable East India Company; I am your officer, and should you hesitate to follow me aboard, why, you foolish fellow, I could have you sent on board in hand-cuffs.” This was jestingly spoken; but yet there was something in the tone which hurt Middlemas's pride and alarmed his fears. He had observed of late, that his friend, especially when in company of others, talked to him with an air of command or superiority, difficult to be endured, and yet so closely allied to the freedom often exercised betwixt two intimates, that he could not find any proper mode of rebuffing, or resenting it. Such manifestations of authority were usually followed by an instant renewal of their intimacy; but in the present case that did not so speedily ensue.