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THE LAKESIDE LIBRARY.
rovost-marshal, in a condition to defy the pope,
e devil, and pretender. ow We have been
talking long enough to excite the first heutenant’s
suspicion; so, on going into the gun-room, Ishall,
izsin prwsen.ti, which means, in the presence of
one lllidas, order my assistant to compound for
you a haustus nugarzmi, or one ounce of noisome
cask-water, to one dram of powder of post; wh‘i%hI
when you have ”carefully shaken together, you
be pleased to-
“ Whatl swallow it, doctor l "' .
“No-throw it into your Wash-hand basin. So
God prosper thee, and Tale! ”
, The surgeon extended his. hand, which the
young lieutenant shook most gratefully, after
which the former, in the presence of his mess-
mates, and in most learned terms, ordered the
said haustus nugarum. The gun-room mes sat
down to breakfast at the exactperiod of eig t-
nene of them, the doctor excepted, feeling very
comfortable or happy, and all firmly behevinv
that in the mind of the poor prisoner anxiety
brought on absolutenllness. . In a few minutes
the -room boy appeared with the drought.
“ that physio?” emandedthe firstlieutenan
who was a. most thorough-paced toady an
the captain. ‘ - ’ ,
“Yes, sir” replied theboy. . ‘ ,
“Bring i here then, sir. I want to taste it.”
“Taste it, my dear boy,” said the doctor. “ Lord
bless m%I never had the least notion you were
fond of hyslc for breakfast, for I have plenty,
even nastier than that, down in the cockpit. How
much would you like to have? Steward, bring
the first lieutenant a quart basin. . ‘
“Sir, I’ll thank you not to venture any of your
ill-timed jokes on matters of duty. Itasted the
I!‘
:2
dspyo
, medicine, because it is my duty to seeltliat nothing
in the shape of laudanuni was admimstered to a
prisoner awaiting sentence of court-‘martial.
However; I find it is not that,”-using his hand-
kerchief with a shudder at the abominable flavor
of the draught. .
rNo faith,” quoth the doctor; “ I should think
it is not: if you onlyknew what you’d been drink-
ing. you would require little breakfast.”
This speech, which was uttered in an affected
low tone, as if to -escape -the ear of the prisoner,
' had so nauseating an effect on the first heutenant,
that he was obliged to rise suddenly from the
and hurry upon the deck, amidst the laugh-
ter of them all. “That's ‘a dose for min at any
rate,” quoth the doctor, “ if he never get another.”
-CHAPTER V.
Little time did the doctor of the frigate.lose
.over his bl'8l1kfil.St,‘0l1 the morning of which we
are writing. l-lastily‘ quitting the gun-roorn, he
repaired to the cockpit, and sending his assistant
to dress for the shore, despatched in his own per-
son the various compounds that required to be
dispensed for the sick of the frigate. This matter
' over which, by-the-way, is never a very cere-
mon ous one on board of a manof-war, old Deli-
chus, who was rather inclined to obesity in his
e, waddled away to his cabin, to indlte the‘
note to his trusty friend on shore, ‘having spared in
this, no degree of earnestness winch could further
‘ the purpose in view. This being carefully sealed
inacouple of “antelopes,” (as t e hall-porter of
the Union Club expresses rt,) to guard against
accidents, the doctor repaired on the quarter-deck,
snuff-box in hand.
"Well, doctor, what do you want‘? ” said the
first lieutenant, as he took the sweet pinch olfared
to him, yet knowing, nevertheless, that the box
was rarely or never volunteered, 11111855 the
prietor had some favor to ask in return.
"What do I want?” reiterated the surgeon;
“nothing very particular-only a little point on
his Majesty's service. In making out the sick list
this morning, and giving attendance thereto, as
my friend Six-and-eightpence
we are completely on of a very necessary medi-
cine, so I came to speak to you relative to sending
Bathurst, my assistant, on shore for some?”
“But how can that be? In ten minutes you
will have to start for the guard-sliipy, where, as you
know, your testimony is important. . ,
“True, my dear fellow; but then you see, testi-
mony, evidence, and the like, form one of those
classes of subjects ‘on hlch the law will allow
you to have no assistan 5 Whatever; so that job, I
fear, I must endure myself.”
‘jYou know that I‘ alluded only to the ship
being left without medical advice.”
.
giving her plenty of that ever since the day
]0ll] No, no; I’ve gone through all the duty till
this evening, and don’t think I’m so bad a discipli-
narian as to permit any one to fall sick between
hours. A pretty enervating state of luxury we
should then be got to."
“ Well’ then, send him;” and the lieutenant,
tired of being badgered. turned to some more
amusing part of his I office. - In less than five
minutes from the obtaining of his permission, the
assistantsurgeon was on his way to the shore.
While Vulnerabiis was congratulating himself
on the success of his schemes, iis arm was toucli-
ed by one of the side-bo s. “The boatls waitina
sir, ill) take you on bear the flagship for court-
mart
1”?‘
E
a . -
Thus admonished, the ‘surgeon stepped over the
side of the cutter, which were waiting such of
would say, I find h
his other brother officers asi having witnessed
with himself the transaction hat gave rise to the
‘ , were now w’ him called upon to give
evidence of the same. ' - ‘ . .
Punctual to the hour of nine the court-martial
assembled, and the necessary forms having been
gone through, this wretched mockery of justice
proceeued. In the first place, Lieutenant Living-
one iad applied for a trial on Lieutenant
Ramsay, for offering to strike him. The applica-
tion being granted, the father of the prosecutor
was named as one of the judges, from the paucity
of captains then in harbor not otherwise in ‘
up the necessary number. On’ the other halldg,
Lieutenant Ramsay demanded a co martial on
Livingstone for unoflicer-like conduct. This also
was granted, and the same judge, for the same
reason, remained among the rest to try both
causes. The formalities of opening e co
having been gone throu h, the witnesses were
called, and, from amid a the tedious delay and
prolixity of court-martial examination, this was
the story to be inferred from the evidence; in the
first place, that Mr. Ramsay bein one of the oth-
cers of the fri ate, and introduc by her captain
to his le there for the first time en-
countered the ca '
a tached
every possible opportunity of in tiatin himself
in her favor. Nor did this, in tgiil: of some
parties, appear to be any thingialike the worst
oint of the case. Not only had msay attached
'mself to Miss Livingstone, but infinitely eater
crime in hi found some method of in ucing
the lady to return his affection.
It next appeared that Angela’s rother, havin
taken great exception to these proceedings, los
no opportunity of remonstrating with either party,
1-0-
2‘.
greatly increasing the treasonous affection of
oth. That finding this to be the result of his
labors, he had ventured on still warmer ex'postu-
lations, calling the.suitor a damned puppy, and
using other expressions equally expressive of. the
prosecutor’s regard,‘ and the desire he entertained
of the prisoner’s alhance; on which the prisoner,
in ‘contempt and defiance of the well-known
articles ofgvar, had,.for the purpose of personal
violence, raised hand against s superior
oflicer. For all of which charges, the most irre-
fragable testimony having been adduced, Lieut.
R3-mstly Was broken,‘ and peremptorily dismissed
from the service of his Ma est
The two parties now changed positions‘ as pri-
having been delivered in a sliohtl different :1
Lieutenant Livingstone was dipsmigsed the sexicyg
in consequence of ungentlemanlike Ian e.
In consequence, however, of the great evocation
he had received he was forthwith reinstated, with
much admonition how he should in future guide
msell‘. The honorable court now broke up
fully satisfied of having in every way dlschargeui
its duty according to its oath, but more especially
the father-the mild, the amiable Captain Livin -
stone, whose only wishes and intentions towa
the prisoner were now merely to “ cut his liver
out, and-nothin more.” On Ramsay the blow
fall with less vio once than his enemies had ex.
pected. They knew not, in the first place, how
fully he was prepared for the stroke, nor, in the
second, that his whole faculties were absorbed in
preparing to escape the deeper gulf into which 1;
was the mm resolve of his enemies to plunge him
Anxiously had he looked from time to time at his
faithful friend,.the surgeon’s head, but the quills
did not yet bristle on “ the fretful porcupine"’
and when the court bro'ke 13 he found himsejf
standing sohtary and avoid I Around young
Livingstone he saw several of his late messmat '’
0F0W<h!1I; forward. to Oder him their slavish M3
hypocritical congratulations-men whom he had
often heard condemning the sauie creature behi d
is back, for all the meannesses under heavglu.
grist g:tIclg;rt also, and several of the other members
E‘
luncheon‘ while 0
Ramsaytle l l ksb ’ '1
cold indiff)ere(ii!<1:iayor0l.ialf-c$itc‘)e‘::le:i c‘<'ofixt:Iitih(t’.Sea,?;
this rorri many who, in the sunshine of gisi day
had basked and laughed With hi read l ’
ceivc any favor or obligation inmiiis po’;v,? rye‘
mpnt. His blood boiled fiercely in his veins at no
witnessed these sad roofs of human littl 8
But then, thought he, twill be the sam guess‘
times while the abject species shall endfirglan “J
hey are only fools who ex ect aught hesiglle
;ll‘:‘.s’:.&‘:o ‘amen: Sm aware-i-“arena
S7’$%)t1,'m.’7’ I n ‘C ax-d‘no one cl-iedv,G0d
Y .
Thesevvfgdrs,;ai"o‘:iofili1ib22%’iliiuaIl1;)1z:3eaI,i1:g‘9.:V‘E3"”
tone as if they came from the ll 5 10“ mm
wholly unsubservientto any contro sac a man
pleased himself, came upon the ear with‘: :“f,’,‘, as
g,"1g;“5'3wh=.=”;,d stnttrztgzlelyh contrasted with thltla 1:3
0 yw is erso et ronging nude,-Ii
in Hlzs who
%?1xjx,“?'i..5'ii“c’.-.’l2 i3iS?;i‘%‘; iii‘2xZ%‘3?.i".‘ii"f‘.%Z‘$ii.'i;‘. ‘it?
e no‘ . Th ‘
Shlmlyllfgon R-1:,nSa.'fy’c:IlBteSI’isll:..g‘:.fl‘(,!e!t'llstril])ck mo
with delighted eye he beheld ’mai<’e tdrnvar mm‘
only figure. Whgzeatog;-illrlnot stood
bers of the court had not fghlginin
>1
:9
anxious to
commit his friend as little as possible
- . > 1
Ramsay an
without producing much effect beyond that of etc.
soner and prosecutor; and the same testimony kindn
h lowing him,
hima h
not intend to recognize his messmate by more
than a private look ; but the other, elevating his
voice into a still louder key strode forward with
glowing features and outs retched hand, sayindg,
as he greeted the late prisoner.-‘With a fiien y
shake, “ Ramsay, my dear boy, I congratulate you
on bem ,a free man at last-how are you ?”
A000!‘ g to agreement, Ramsay at once com
plained of severe indisposition, and the surgeo
' g him.in the unoccupied cabin, beyon
that Ill‘ which the couitmartial had been held,
was no sooner satisfied of their being alone than
he put into ' ‘ '
as the surgeon said, he had placed the matter in
the hands of one whose every effort had been ex-
cited to attain the end in view.r. With eager eyes,
and a voice so agitated as almost to prevent the
expression’of his thanks, Ramsay ran over the
with
ture without fear , g
“ ? ay-there-no ‘thanks. You will
you something.”
avender in some sugar and water, which, after
With a proud and honestsheart did Ramsay now
commit himself to the boat that was to hear him
back '
he followed the last parcel.
and jurnorv officers were many who loved him, not
only for his bravery but many acts of kindness.
any opportunity of doing which he had never ne-
glec d. Many of them crowded round the gang"
way, an
quarterdeck, would
their own rough way: but now no one dare
step forward ; and, indeed Ramsay , would have
been greatly grieved if they had done so,since no 0110
lmevy be er than be, how great would be the an-
imosity which such a step would draw down upon
themselves, and how unavailing the tribute of
ess to himself. He certainly did: look round
t0 599 15 any of his messmates were there.‘ Not
one, save the oliicer of the watch, was to be seen.
and. M was lzusilv 93311896,-indcokin in the op
posite direction. ' > "
1a11d1!1g'D1i108. Waitin ther one of t e
barges. Lieutenant e’
the stern-sheets, and‘ her crew were fully
Well do I know your object, my goo
men, muttered‘ the ex-lieutenant to himself
“ but I trust you will find yourselves‘oiit-witted.
armed-
‘gentle-
thou ht‘ of the perfidious cruelty lnten ed 10'
war s him : but be determined to give no PWV0‘
cation to outrage in his own conduct, and to me?‘
their’s with contempt. As the boat drew up near
the barge, he saw that she did not contain 119’
regular ‘crew-men whom‘ he well knew from
their having often fought under his orders-but 3
er.cise.of his duty, proceeded with ri or.
inidshipman of the boat, too, was a coargse, I'll
y9ung man,
disrated for drunkenness on dut
Ramsay illllck-ly Esrlceived the
manoeuvres; bu ‘
he landed himself, and proceed to help the bgia '
men in getting out his luggage. While‘ so (10111 v
Livingstone quitted his barge,
he no sooner perceived that Ilr'i.i1J-‘W 5
last chest was landed, than drawing his SW07
figidpointing to the late (prisoner, he exclaimed,
Seize that man, and hair cuff hi .”
Two or e of the seamen rushed ‘on Ba’!-W5“;
astiils order was given. “Back you scoiindrelsl
cried he, levelling the first man at his feet. “ What
does this outrage mean, sir?” addreseingllimseu
to Livingstone. v
01) e a er hil '
r “lieldmtliml tt ually
mundhim . W e his men grad
Here are my papers as captain of the British ‘ml;
ing barqu El’ b th s‘ ‘ haIb0"
“ What la’; ciigde tvg]ii"i‘gzvst1.<’>iixeg gerfectly Like"
abackv 33 Ramsay. . ' h a smile upon 15 00 M;
held forth his protection for a per F"
once
an instant there was a d d‘ .use.- Suddenly
hand was thrust forward,e:nd Dela Ramsay 90 ,,
conceive the ssibility of such an act, the P“Pew
were snatch from their possessor an 1'“ m
a thousand ieces. '
erpetrated
1T1,5&y had no d h f h kn his
NP “"19 W513. howe(')vIi:r,t’giv"elii hiam toe‘d7elib9T3
gs own conduct. '
a once ' td - e .
o carry-gt:-‘i.i’. i.?i?f..il‘3uE.“E’. ”e“.‘$"s““‘ e! W
8
’ urpo n -.
g,?"igg5r15usentxre.disbeiiei of their mung,
VOL. II.
0
find me ashore to-night at my usual rendezvous- 1
so let us be content then to drink better luck to .
Ashe approached thelshore, he beli-el nealg ,9 '
P.“ .
gstone was sittirill 1“ ‘-
“As for irnpressrnent, from that I am exeI!1Pdt‘ .
. d an appointmentas captain of .-
a. merchant brig then lying in harbor. Some diI‘n- '
ciilty had been experienced in obtaining this but, '
thi’s,doctor, you think I'may veri- I
i
ipresently. received a couple of drachins of red ’
all the anxiety gone through, did ‘him at least no
the frigate, to obtain his variousluggage, 7
'.Ashore-boatwas already ‘t‘ f hi along- -.
side. Into this his traps VVeI:a(l111lIi1C lyohanldledand '
Among the seamen -
d had the caiptain been absent from the .-
oubtless have testified it 1:13 ,:
Fiwcely did his passions boil in his boso as he :
collection from among the greatest vagabonds 111 .
the ship. against many of whom he had, in the Tel?‘ .
. 0 .
who had once, at his instance. We”
’drift of all these ;
rig no notice of the maimv .,
and his crew 10,‘ 2
uare impressed the king’s "