The Ringdove was under a master-commandant of the name of Lyon, who was just sixty years old, having worked his way up to his present rank by dint of long and arduous services, owing his last commission and his command to the accident of having been a first lieutenant at the battle of Cape St.Vincent.Both these gentlemen appeared simultaneously on the quarter-deck of the Proserpine, where they were duly received by the captain and all the assembled officers.
"Good morrow to you, Cuffe," said Dashwood, giving the other the tip of his fingers, as soon as the ceremonious part of the reception was over; and casting a glance, half admiring, half critical, at the appearance of things on deck--"What has Nelson sent us down here about this fine morning, and--ha!--how long have you had those brass ornaments on your capstan ?" "They were only put there yesterday, Sir Frederick; a little slush money did it all." "Has Nelson seen them?
I rather fancy not--they tell me he's as savage as an Arab about knick-knackery nowadays.

What an awkward job that was yesterday afternoon, by the way, Cuffe!" "It has been a bad business, and, as an old Agamemnon, I would give a year's rank that it never had taken place." "A year's rank!--that's a great deal; a year would set me back, hard aground alongside of old Lyon, here.

I was a lieutenant less than three years since and couldn't afford half a year.

But all you old Agamemnons think as much of your little Nel.

as if he were a pretty girl; isn't it true, Lyon ?" "I dare say it may be, Sir Frederick," answered Lyon; "and if you had been the first lieutenant of a two-decker, off Cape St.Vincent, on the 14th February, 1797, you would have thought as much of him too.