Indeed, there was only one thing wanting about him; and that was a finger of his left hand, which finger he had lost at the great battle of Navarino.
He had a high conceit of his profession as a seaman; and being deeply versed in all things pertaining to a man-of-war, was universally regarded as an oracle.

The main-top, over which he presided, was a sort of oracle of Delphi; to which many pilgrims ascended, to have their perplexities or differences settled.
There was such an abounding air of good sense and good feeling about the man, that he who could not love him, would thereby pronounce himself a knave.

I thanked my sweet stars, that kind fortune had placed me near him, though under him, in the frigate; and from the outset Jack and I were fast friends.
Wherever you may be now rolling over the blue billows, dear Jack! take my best love along with you; and God bless you, wherever you go! Jack was a gentleman.

What though his hand was hard, so was not his heart, too often the case with soft palms.

His manners were easy and free; none of the boisterousness, so common to tars; and he had a polite, courteous way of saluting you, if it were only to borrow your knife.