The first on deck was the old colonel, who tottered up the hatchway, and by dint of seizing rope after rope, at last succeeded in advancing his lines to within hearing range of Mrs Ferguson, to whom he had been formally introduced.

He commenced by lamenting his unfortunate sufferings, which had prevented him from paying those attentions, ever to him a source of enjoyment and gratification; but he was a martyr--quite a martyr; never felt any sensation which could be compared to it, except when he was struck in the breast with a spent ball, in the battle of -- --; that their appearance had made him feel revived already; that as the world would be a dark prison without the sun, so would a ship be without the society of ladies; commenced a description of Calcutta, and then--made a hasty retreat to the lee-gangway.
The young writer next made his appearance, followed by the two boys, who were going out as cadets; the first, with a new pair of grey kid gloves, the others in their uniforms.

The writer descanted long upon his own miseries, without any inquiry or condolement for the sufferings of the ladies.

The cadets said nothing; but stared so much at Isabel Revel, that she dropped her veil.
The ladies had been about a quarter of an hour on deck, when the sun, which had not shown itself for two days, gleamed through the clouds.

Newton, who was officer of the watch, and had been accustomed, when with Mr Berecroft, to work a chronometer, interrupted the captain, who was leaning on the carronade, talking to Mrs Ferguson.
"The sun is out, and the horizon pretty clear, sir: you may have sights for the chronometers." "Yes, indeed," said the captain, looking up; "be quick, and fetch my sextant.