received the first part of his sentence alongside of one ship, the blood is allowed to congeal, and the wounds partially to close, during the interval which takes place previously to his arrival alongside of the next, when the cat again subjects him to renewed and increased torture. During the latter part of the punishment the suffering is dreadful; and a man who has undergone this sentence is generally broken down in constitution, if not in spirits, for the remainder of his life. The King's Own.

II

CAPTAIN CAPPERBAR

CAPTAIN CAPPERBAR1 (for such was his name) should have been brought up as a missionary, for he could convert anything, and expend more profusely than any Bible Society. The name by which he had christened his domicile was probably given as a sort of salve to his conscience. He called it the "Ship"; and when he signed his name to the expense books of the different warrant officers, without specifying the exact use to which the materials were applied, the larger proportion were invariably expended, by the general term, for "Ship's use." He came into harbour as often as he could, always had a demand for stores to complete, and a defect or two for the dockyard to make good; and the admiral, who was aware of Mrs. Capperbar being a near resident, made every reasonable allowance for his partiality to Spithead. But we had better introduce the captain, sitting at his table in the fore-cabin, on the day of his arrival in port, the carpenter having obeyed his summons.

"Well, Mr. Cheeks, what are the carpenters about?"

1 Cap-a-bar or capabarre, an old word for the misappropriation of Government stores. It probably dates from Dutch-War days and owes its derivation to Ter Kaap Vaaren, to go a privateering.

"Weston and Smallbridge are going on with the chairs the whole of them will be finished to-morrow." "Well?"

"Smith is about the chest of drawers, to match the one in my Lady Capperbar's bedroom."

"Very good. And what is Hilton about?"

"He has finished the spare-leaf of the dining-table, sir; he is now about a little job for the second lieutenant." "A job for the second lieutenant, sir? How often have I told you, Mr. Cheeks, that the carpenters are not to be employed, except on ship's duty, without my special permission."

"His standing bedplace is broke, sir; he is only getting out a chock or two."

"Mr. Cheeks, you have disobeyed my most positive orders. By the by, sir, I understand you were not sober last night."

"Please your honour," replied the carpenter, "I wasn't drunk-I was only a little fresh."

"Take you care, Mr. Cheeks. Well, now, what are the rest of your crew about?"

"Why, Thompson and Waters are cutting out the pales for the garden out of the jib-booms; I've saved the heel to return."

"Very well; but there won't be enough, will there?" "No, sir, it will take a hand-mast to finish the whole." "Then we must expend one when we go out again. We can carry away a topmast, and make a new one out of the hand-mast at sea. In the meantime, if the sawyers have nothing to do, they may as well cut the palings at And now let me see-oh! the painters must go on shore, to finish the attics."

once.

"Yes, sir, but my Lady Capperbar wishes the jelaowsees to be painted vermilion; she says it will look more rural." "Mrs. Capperbar ought to know enough about ship's

stores by this time, to be aware that we are only allowed three colours. She may choose or mix them as she pleases; but as for going to the expense of buying paint, I can't afford it. What are the rest of the men about?" "Repairing the second cutter, and making a new mast for the pinnace."

"By the by-that puts me in mind of it-have you expended any boat's masts?"

'Only the one carried away, sir."

"Then you must expend two more. Mrs. C. has just sent me off a list of a few things that she wishes made while we are at anchor, and I see two poles for clothes-lines. Saw off the sheave-holes, and put two pegs through at right-angles-you know how I mean."

"Yes, sir. What am I to do, sir, about the cucumber frame? My Lady Capperbar says that she must have it, and I haven't glass enough-they grumbled at the yard last time.”

"Mrs. C. must wait a little. What are the armourers about?"

"They have been so busy with your work, sir, that the arms are in a very bad condition. The first lieutenant said yesterday that they were a disgrace to the ship." "Who dared say that?"

"The first lieutenant, sir."

“Well, then, let them rub up the arms, and let me know when they are done, and we'll get the forge up." "The armourer has made six rakes, and six hoes, and the two little hoes for the children; but he says he can't make a spade.

"Then I'll take his warrant away, by Heaven! since he does not know his duty. That will do, Mr. Cheeks. I shall overlook your being in liquor, this time; but take care-send the boatswain to me.”

"Yes, sir," and the carpenter quitted the cabin.

"Well, Mr. Hurley," said the captain, as the boatswain stroked down his hair, as a mark of respect, when he entered the cabin, "are the cots all finished?”

"All finished, your honour, and slung, except the one for the babby. Had not I better get a piece of duck for that?" "No, no-number seven will do as well; Mrs. C. wants some fearnought, to put down in the entrance hall." "Yes, your honour."

"And some cod-lines laid up for clothes-lines."

"Yes, your honour."

"Stop, let me look at my list-'Knife-tray, meatscreen, leads for window-sashes'-ah! have you any hand-leads not on charge?"

"Yes, your honour, four or five."

"Give them to my steward.-'Small chair for Ellen -canvas for veranda.'-Oh! here's something else— have you any painted canvas?"

"Only a waist-hammock-cloth, sir, ready fitted."

"We must expend that; 'no old on charge.' Send it on shore to the cottage, and I shall want some pitch." "We've lots of that, your honour."

"That will do, Mr. Hurley; desire the sentry to tell my steward to come here."

"Yes, your honour." (Exit boatswain, and enter steward.) This personage belonged to the party of marines who had been drafted into the ship-for Captain Capperbar's economical propensities would not allow him to hire a servant brought up to the situation, who would have demanded wages independent of the ship's pay. Having been well-drilled at barracks, he never answered any question put to him by an officer without recovering himself from his usual "stand-at-ease" position-throwing shoulders back, his nose up in the air, his arms down his sides, and the palms of his hands flattened on his thighs. His replies were given with all the brevity that

the question would admit, or rapid articulation on his own part would enable him to confer.

"Thomas, are the sugar and cocoa ready to go on shore?" "Yes, sir."

"Don't forget to send that letter to Mr. Gibson for the ten dozen port and sherry."

"No, sir."

"When it comes on board, you'll bring it on shore a dozen at a time in the hair trunk."

"Yes, sir."

"Mind you don't let any of the hay peep outside." "No, sir."

"Has the cooper finished the washing-tubs?"
"Yes, sir."

"And the small kids?"

"No, sir."

"Have you inquired among the ship's company for a gardener?"

"Yes, sir; there's a marine kept the garden of the major in the barracks."

"Don't forget to bring him on shore."

"No, sir."

"Recollect, too, that Mrs. Capperbar wants some vinegar -the boatswain's is the best-and a gallon or two of rum -and you must corn some beef. The harness cask may remain on shore, and the cooper must make me another.” "Yes, sir."

"Master Henry's trousers-are they finished yet?" "No, sir; Spriggs is at them now. Bailly and James are making Miss Ellen's petticoats.'

"And the shoes for Master John-are they finished ? "Yes, sir."

"And Master Henry's?"

"No, sir. Wilson says that he has lost Master Henry's measure."