CHAPTER XXIII.
IN WHICH WILLIS SHOWS, THAT THE TERM PRESS-GANG MEANS SOMETHING ELSE BESIDES THE GENTLEMEN OF THE PRESS.
"When I was a youngster, about a year or two older than you are now, Master Fritz, I slipped on board the brig _Norfolk_ as boatswain's mate.

The ship at the time was short of hands, so there was no immediate probability of her weighing anchor; but on the same day I scratched my name on the books a despatch arrived, in consequence of which we left the harbor, and proceeded out to sea under sealed orders.

One day, when off the Irish coast, I was called aft by the first lieutenant.
"'You know something of Cork, my man, I believe ?' said he.
"'Yes, your honor, I have been ashore there once or twice,' said I.
"'Very good,' said he; 'get ready to go ashore there again as quick as you like.' "Leave to go on shore is always agreeable to a sailor.

He prefers the sea, but likes to stretch himself on land now and then, just to enjoy a change of air, and look about him a bit; so it was with all possible expedition that I made the requisite preparations.
"When I reappeared, I found a party of twenty men mustered on deck in pipe-clay order.

A full ration of small arms was served out to them, and, under the command of the lieutenant, we embarked in the long-boat and rowed ashore.