"Yes, the Storm King is a bird and a beauty," said he proudly.

"Look at her! See what great wings she has! And what a hull, to cut the seas! She was built after my own plans.

Give me plenty of sea-room, and a fair start, and I will laugh at all the gun frigates of the royal navy." "She looks to be all you say," said his visitor admiringly--but rather surprised that not an oath had yet fallen from the lips of the Captain.
He had not learned that Captain Tolley, to use his own language, "never washed his ammunition in port or in mild weather." When aroused by a severe storm or other peril, the Captain was transformed into a different man.

Then, in the war of the elements, or of man's angry passions, he also lightened and thundered, and swore big guns.
"Let us go down into the cabin," said the Captain.

Reaching there, he filled a couple of glasses with wine and putting the decanter on the table, invited his visitor to be seated.