Read Online Mr Midshipman Easy by Captain Frederick Marryat - Free Book Online Page B

lieutenant, happened to be going on shore on the same evening for the last time previous to the ship’s sailing, he looked into the Blue Posts, George, and Fountain Inns, to inquire if there was such a person arrived as Mr Easy. “O yes,” replied the waiter at the Fountain,—“Mr Easy has been here these three weeks.”
    â€œThe devil he has,” roared Mr Sawbridge, with all the indignation of a first lieutenant defrauded three weeks of a midshipman; “where is he; in the coffee-room?”
    â€œOh dear no, sir,” replied the waiter, “Mr Easy has the front apartments on the first floor.”
    â€œWell, then, show me up to the first floor.”
    â€œMay I request the pleasure of your name, sir?” said the waiter.
    â€œFirst lieutenants don’t send up their names to midshipmen,” replied Mr Sawbridge; “he shall soon know who I am.”
    At this reply, the waiter walked upstairs, followed by Mr Sawbridge, and threw open the door.
    â€œA gentleman wishes to see you, sir,” said the waiter.
    â€œDesire him to walk in,” said Jack: “and, waiter, mind that the punch is a little better than it was yesterday; I have asked two more gentlemen to dine here.”
    In the meantime, Mr Sawbridge, who was not in his uniform, had entered, and perceived Jack alone, with the dinner table laid out in the best style for eight, a considerable show of plate for even the Fountain Inn, and everything, as well as the apartment itself, according to Mr Sawbridge’s opinion, much more fit for a commander-in-chief than a midshipman of a sloop of war.
    Now Mr Sawbridge was a good officer, one who had really worked his way up to the present rank, that is to say, that he had served sevenand-twenty years, and had nothing but his pay. He was a little soured in the service, and certainly had an aversion to the young men of family who were now fast crowding into it—and with some grounds, as he perceived his own chance of promotion decrease in the same ratio as the numbers increased. He considered that in proportion as midshipmen assumed a cleaner and more gentlemanly appearance, so did they become more useless, and it may therefore be easily imagined that his bile was raised by this parade and display in a lad, who was very shortly to be, and ought three weeks before to have been, shrinking from his frown. Nevertheless, Sawbridge was a good-hearted man, although a little envious of luxury, which he could not pretend to indulge in himself.
    â€œMay I beg to ask,” said Jack, who was always remarkably polite and gentlemanly in his address, “in what manner I may be of service to you?”
    â€œYes, sir, you may—by joining your ship immediately. And may I beg to ask in return, sir, what is the reason you have stayed on shore three weeks without joining her?”
    Hereupon Jack, who did not much admire the peremptory tone of Mr Sawbridge, and who during the answer had taken a seat, crossed his legs, and played with the gold chain to which his watch was secured, after a pause very coolly replied—
    â€œAnd pray, who are you?”
    â€œWho am I, sir?” replied Sawbridge, jumping out of his chair—“my name is Sawbridge, sir, and I am the first lieutenant of the Harpy. Now, sir, you have your answer.”
    Mr Sawbridge, who imagined that the name of the first lieutenant would strike terror to a culprit midshipman, threw himself back in the chair, and assumed an air of importance.
    â€œReally, sir,” replied Jack, “what may be your exact situation on board, my ignorance of the service will not allow me to guess, but if I may judge from your behaviour, you have no small opinion of yourself.”
    â€œLook ye, young man, you may not know what a first lieutenant is, and I take it for granted that you do not, by your behaviour; but depend upon it, I’ll let you know very soon. In the meantime, sir, I insist upon it, that