Sebright. I was
left incapable of fresh hostilities; I owned that the
navy of old England was (for me) invincible as of yore;
and giving up all thought of the doctor, inclined to
salute her veteran flag, in the future, from a prudent
distance. Such was my inclination when I retired to
rest; and my first experience the next morning
strengthened it to certainty. For I had the pleasure
of encountering my fair antagonist on his way on board;
and he honoured me with a recognition so disgustingly
dry, that my impatience overflowed, and (recalling the
tactics of Nelson) I neglected to perceive or to return
it.
Judge of my astonishment, some half-hour later, to
receive a note of invitation from the TEMPEST.
"Dear Sir," it began, "we are all naturally very much
interested in the wreck of the FLYING SCUD, and as
soon as I mentioned that I had the pleasure of making
your acquaintance, a very general wish was expressed
that you would come and dine on board. It will give us
all the greatest pleasure to see you to-night, or in
case you should be otherwise engaged, to luncheon
either to-morrow or to-day.
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