'Why, sir, didn't he misbehave just now in not carrying on the duty according to your will and pleasure?
and didn't you serve him out just as he deserved--and isn't he sulky because you did-- and arn't that the reason why I am not to go on shore?
You see, your honour, it's all true as I said; and the first lieutenant has misbehaved and not I.I hope you will allow me to go on shore, captain, God bless you! and make some allowance for my parental feelings towards the arthers of my existence.' 'Have you any fault to find with Mr O'Brien ?' said the captain to the first lieutenant, as he came aft.

'No more than I have with midshipmen in general; but I believe it is not the custom for officers to ask leave to go on shore before the sails are furled and the yards squared.' 'Very true,' replied the captain; 'therefore, Mr O'Brien, you must wait until the watch is called, and then, if you ask the first lieutenant, I have no doubt but you will have leave granted to you to go and see your friends.' 'Thank'e kindly, sir,' replied I; and I hoped that the yards and sails would be finished off as soon as possible, for my heart was in my mouth, and I felt that if I had been kept much longer, it would have flown on shore before me.
"I thought myself very clever in this business, but I was never a greater fool in my life; for there was no such hurry to have gone on shore, and the first lieutenant never forgave me for appealing to the captain--but of that by-and-by, and all in good time.

At last I obtained a grumbling assent to my going on shore, and off I went like a sky-rocket.

Being in a desperate hurry, I hired a jaunting-car to take me to my father's house.

'Is it the O'Brien of Ballyhinch that you mane ?' inquired the spalpeen who drove the horse.