Rattlin the Reefer

THE CAT-OF-NINE-TAILS BEGETS A TALE THE MOST ANNOYING TO RALPH--THE STORY OF THE THREE CROWS BEATEN HOLLOW--SEVEN'S THE MAIN AND A LOSING CAST--A PROMISED TREATISE ON ORNITHOLOG...

My associate and myself advanced stealthily and noiselessly up the staircase. We met no one. The profoundest security seemed to reign everywhere. Favoured by the dark shadows th...

But as it is not my intention to write a diary of my life, which was like all other midshipmen's lives in the West Indies, I shall pass over some months, during which we remaine...

RALPH IS PLACED IN AN AWKWARD PREDICAMENT BEING PUT UPON HIS TRIAL TO PROVE HIS IDENTITY, AND HAVING NO WITNESSES TO CALL BUT HIMSELF--ALL VOICES AGAINST HIM BUT HIS OWN.

RALPH APPEARS BEFORE A MAGISTRATE, AND PROVES TO BE MORE FRIGHTENED THAN HURT, THOUGH FRIGHTENED AS LITTLE AS A VERITABLE HERO SHOULD BE--A GREAT DEAL OF FUSS ABOUT A LITTLE DUS...

LIAISONS DANGEREUSES--RALPH DIVETH INTO THE DILEMMA OF LOVE, AND ADMIRETH THE FATHERLY CONDUCT OF THE PARENT OF HIS DULCINEA--YET RAGETH AND WEEPETH THAT SHE IS A SLAVE WHO HATH...

RALPH FINDS EVERYWHERE GREAT CHANGES--GIVES WAY TO HIS FEELINGS, AND MAKES A FOOL OF HIMSELF--THIS CHAPTER WILL BE FOUND EITHER THE WORST OR THE BEST OF RALPH'S CONFESSIONS, ACC...

HOW TO MAKE A DAY'S WORK EASY--RALPH AVOIDETH TROUBLE BY ANTICIPATING LAND, BUT IS ANTICIPATED BY THE ENEMY--A CHAPTER ALTOGETHER OF CHASING, WHICH IT IS HOPED WILL PLEASANTLY C...

We will despatch the object of persecution in a few words. Lieutenant Silva was given the option of a court-martial or of exchanging into a sloop of war. He chose the latter. Th...

Let me now describe the child of nine years and a half old, that was forced to undergo this terrible ordeal. We will suppose that, by the aid of the dancing-master and the drill...

It was nearly dark. As I sat for more than half an hour by the side of the impenitent beauty, I could not conceive that she was in any danger. Whilst she discoursed with me so f...

The _soyez tranquille_ of Monsieur Manuel had but a transient effect. It brought no consolation with it. What I had heard, seemed to clog the usual healthy beating of my heart;...

A CHAPTER OF DISAPPOINTMENTS, WHICH RALPH HOPES THE READER WILL NOT SHARE--SOME COMPARISONS WHICH HE HOPES WILL NOT BE FOUND ODIOUS, AND SOME REFLECTIONS WHICH HE THINKS CANNOT...

JEALOUSY COOLED BY A WATERING--RALPH EXHORTETH, AND RIGHT WISELY--THE BOATSWAIN SEES MANY THINGS IN A NEW LIGHT--AND, THOUGH HE CAUSETH CRABS TO BE CAUGHT, HE BRINGETH THEM TO A...

At length the important day arrived on which the survey did assemble. The large table in the cabin was duly littered over with paper and medical books, and supplied with pens an...

A LITTLE BOAT WITH A LARGE CARGO--WORSE THAN THE DRIFT OF A DULL ARGUMENT, RALPH FINDS DRIFTING ACROSS THE ATLANTIC--HE MEETS WITH LAND AT LENGTH, AND A REAL IRISH WELCOME--POTA...

Notwithstanding my misery, I became convalescent. I went to my duty doggedly. Everybody saw and respected my grief; and the affair was never mentioned to me by any, with one onl...

Early next morning, Mr Pigtop and myself were seated in a post-chaise, making the best of our way towards the western extremity of England. When we had arrived at Exeter, where...

The group on the quarter-deck was singular and ludicrous. Reuben Gubbins, for such was the name of the offender, was the only son of a small farmer, who, it appeared, had even g...

A NAVAL DINNER, WITH ITS CONSEQUENCES--A NAVAL ARGUMENT, WITH ITS CONSEQUENCES, ALSO--THE WAY DOWN THE RIVER PAVED AT LAST, AND THE PROCESS AND THE PERSON OF THE UNFORTUNATE PAV...

A DISASTER BY WATER IS THE FIRST CAUSE OF ALL RALPH'S FUTURE DISASTERS UPON IT--HE GETS WITH HIS TUTOR OUT OF HIS DEPTH, IN LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE; AND FINDS HIMSELF RIVALLED BY...

SOFT TACK, ONE OF THE BEST TACKS, AFTER ALL--THAT LEGS OF MUTTON SOMETIMES PRODUCE FRIENDSHIPS OF LONG STANDING COMPLETELY PROVED, AS WELL AS THE VALUE OF GOOD GRAIN BEST ASCERT...

We first of all brought out the heavily laden craft that were still near the town, and anchored them under our guns. To the privateers that showed their heels, the larger boats...

When Mrs Causand came to Stickenham, she made universal jubilee. The orderly routine of scholastic life had no longer place. She almost ruined Riprapton in clean linen, perfumes...

Shortly after the illegal suspension of the Habeas Corpus that I recorded in the last chapter, the portion of the navy stationed in the West Indies became actively employed in t...

For two days Mr Rip and myself were not upon speaking terms. On the third day, a Master Barnard brings me up a slate-full of plusses, minusses, _x, y, z's_, and other letters of...

RALPH RECEIVES AN INFUSION OF PATRIOTISM--IS HIMSELF DRILLED AND DRILLS A TOUCH HOLE--HE TURNS OUT A MONSTROUS BIG LIAR--SOMEBODY COMES TO SEE HIM WHOM NOBODY CAN SEE, AND THE M...

Before I plunge into all the strange adventures, and unlooked-for vicissitudes, of my naval life, I must be indulged with a few prefatory remarks. The royal navy, as a service,...

RALPH IS SHIPPED, HULKED, AND OVERCOME--A DARK HALL AND AN EBONY SERVITOR--A TAILOR'S POLITENESS, AND A MASTER'S MATE, WHO SIGHS TO BE MATED YET DOES NOT SEE THAT HE IS OUTMATCHED.

When I found myself comfortably established in my aery domicile, I first looked down on the vessel below with a feeling nearly akin to pity, then around me with a positive feeli...

So ignorant were those few, on whom devolved my fitting out, of what my station required, that I had made for me three suits of uniform, all of which had the lion upon the butto...

DISTRESSING DISCLOSURES, AND SOME VERY PRETTY SYMPTOMS OF BROTHERLY LOVE--WITH MUCH EXCELLENT INDIGNATION UTTERLY THROWN AWAY--JOSHUA DAUNTON EITHER A VERY GREAT MAN OR A VERY G...

Not yet having sufficiently Hibernised my taste to luxuriate on Raleigh's root, plain, with salt, I begged them to procure me something more placable to an English appetite. I g...

The next morning at daylight we weighed, and, by the aid of much firing of guns, and the display of unmeasured bunting, we got the whole of the convoy out of the cove by noon, w...

RALPH LECTURETH ON DIVINITY AND LITTLE BOYS' NETHER GARMENTS--DESPONDETH EXCEEDINGLY--AND BEING THE WEAKEST GOETH TO THE WALL, AND THERE FINDETH CONSOLATION--AN OLD FRIEND WITH...

IS FULL OF MORAL AND RELIGIOUS DISQUISITIONS, THEREFORE IT BEHOVETH THE GENERAL READER TO LOOK AT AND PASS IT BY WITH THAT INATTENTION THAT READERS GENERALLY HAVE FOR MORALITY A...

A FEVER CASE, AND A POTION OF LOVE, IF NOT ALTOGETHER A LOVE-POTION-- WHAT ARE THE DOCTORS ABOUT WHEN MEN DIE DESPITE OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE, AND ARE CURED WITHOUT IT?--RALPH KNOWET...

"Ralph," said the lady, when we were again alone, "I have, through the whole of my life, always detested scenes, and, to the utmost of my power, ever repelled all violent emotio...

ANOTHER MIGRATION--FROM THE RURALITIES OF CUT-THROAT LANE TO THE GROVES OF ACADEMUS--I AM FORCED INTO GOOD CLOTHES AND THE PATHS OF LEARNING IN SPITE OF MY TEETH, THOUGH I USE T...

I shall now draw the dolorous recital of what I have termed my epoch of despondency to a close. The fifth of November was approaching; I had been at school nearly two years, and...

CONTAINETH A LECTURE ON LOVE FROM A PERSONIFICATION OF LOVELINESS--AND SHOWETH THAT SUPERSTITION HAS ITS SWEETS AS WELL AS ITS HORRORS--AND ALSO HOW TO AVOID THE INFECTION OF TH...

Openly admired abroad, and secretly cherished by a love, the more intense because concealed, at home, the course of my days was as happy as the improvement in the various branch...

The reader must not suppose that, while masters and scholars were ranged against each other as antagonists, they were quiet as statues. There was much said on both sides, reason...

AN ANTICIPATED DINNER--ALL THE ENJOYMENT SPOILED BY THE FIRST CUT--A SUIT OF CLOTHES ILL-SUITED FOR WEARING--AND JOSHUA DAUNTON TRYING ON A PAIR OF IRON LEGGINGS--MORE EASILY PU...

A NEW CHARACTER INTRODUCED, WHO CLAIMETH OLD ACQUAINTANCESHIP--NOT VERY HONEST BY HIS OWN ACCOUNT, WHICH GIVETH HIM MORE THE APPEARANCE OF HONESTY THAN HE DESERVETH--HE PROVETH...

RALPH DESCRIBETH A RARE CHARACTER, A NOBLE AND A GOOD MAN--HE GOETH TO FISH WITHOUT A ROD, AND SUFFERETH MORE THAN FIFTY RODS COULD INFLICT, AND IS NOT RECONCILED TO THE HONOUR...

Whilst this commotion was going on in the school-room, Mr Root was active in the field, endeavouring, with the aid of the men-servants, to pluck as much fuel from the burning pi...

ANOTHER MYSTERY--ALL OVERJOYED BECAUSE THE "EOS" IS UNDER WEIGH; SHE WORKS WELL--THROUGH THE WATER--HER OFFICERS THROUGH THEIR WINE--RALPH REFRAINETH, AND SELF-GLORIFIETH--A LON...

Two days had elapsed after my incursions upon the "wild Irishers," during which our surgeon had kept himself closely to his cabin, when he wrote a letter on service to the capta...

THE ART OF MISCHIEF MADE EASY--RATHER HARD UPON THE EXPERIMENTED--"HEAVEN PRESERVE ME FROM MY FRIENDS! I'LL TAKE CARE OF MY ENEMIES MYSELF," SAY THE HONEST SPANIARDS, AND SO SAY...

THE CONFESSIONS OF A MADMAN, WHICH, NEVERTHELESS, EMBRACE A VERY WISE CAUTION--RALPH GETS HIS LIBERTY-TICKET--VERY NEEDLESS, AS HE IS DETERMINED HENCEFORWARD TO PRESERVE HIS LIB...

SYMPTOMS OF SICKNESS, NOT OF THE SEA, BUT OF THE LAND BEYOND IT--OUR M.D. WISHES TO WRITE DIO, AND PREPARES ACCORDINGLY--RALPH IS ABOUT TO REAP HIS FIRST MARINE LAURELS ON THE R...

"Am I?--I rejoice to hear you say so! Ralph, speak to me as my own devoted, my more than loved friend--by all the affection that I have lavished on you, speak to me truly; do yo...

I had, as I have related, been encouraged in fits of passion, and had been taught to be pugnacious; my mind was now to be opened to loftier speculations; and religious dread, wi...

I RECEIVE MY FIRST LESSONS IN PUGNACITY--AND IMBIBE THE EVIL SPIRIT-- LEARN TO READ BY INTUITION, AND TO FIGHT BY PRACTICE--GO TO SCHOOL TO A SOLDIER--AM A GOOD BOY AND GET WHIP...

I find myself in a dilemma. My modesty (?) is at variance with my love of verity. Oh, the inconvenience of that little pronoun, I! Would that I had in the first instance imitate...

RALPH FALLETH INTO THE USUAL DELUSION OF SUPPOSING HIMSELF HAPPY-- WISHETH IT MAY LAST ALL HIS LIFE, MAKING IT A REALITY--AS YET NO SYMPTOMS OF IT DISPELLING; BUT THE BRIGHTEST...

When I was placed with the Brandons, it was stipulated that they should remove immediately from Reading; and, whilst I was in their family, they should return there no more. For...

MY PROXIMITY TO THE CLERGY IMPELS ME TO PREACH--I ADVOCATE THE VULGAR, AND PROVE THAT NEITHER THE HUMBLE NOR THE LOW ARE NECESSARILY THE DEBASED--CONSEQUENTLY THIS CHAPTER NEED...

In the volume I am going to write, it is my intention to adhere rigidly to the truth--this will be _bona fide_ an autobiography--and, as the public like novelty, an autobiograph...

What is to be done with the child? It is a fearful question, and has been often asked under every degree of suffering. Of all possible articles, a child is the most difficult to...

I had been living in the plantation nearly three months. My little wife, for such I held her to be, had made much progress in her education--more in my affection she could not....

AN AFFECTING APPEAL THAT EFFECTS NOTHING--THE REBELS COMMENCE THEIR REJOICINGS--THEY ARE SUDDENLY DAMPED--THE FIREMEN DEFEAT THE FIRE-BOYS BY MEANS OF WATER--THE VICTORS ARE VAN...

For the long day I sat, with my head buried in my hands on the sordid table of our berth. I ate not, I spoke not. The ribaldry of my coarse associates moved me not; their boiste...

TREATETH OF THE AMATIVENESS OF WOODEN MEMBERS, AND THE FOLLY OF VIRGIN FRIGHTS--RALPH PUTTETH HIS THREAT OF VERSIFYING INTO ACTUAL EXECUTION, FOR WHICH HE MAY BE THOUGHT WORTHY...

We now pressed the ship with every stitch of canvas that we could set. We had already learned the name of our friend in the distance; it was the _Jean Bart_. Indeed, at this tim...

It is always a greater proof of courage to stand fire coolly than to fire. Captain Reud, I must suppose, wished to try the degree of intrepidity of his officers, by permitting t...

I PROVE TO BE, NOT ONE IN A THOUSAND, BUT ONE IN A QUARTER OF THAT NUMBER, TO WHOM NO QUARTER WAS SHOWN--IN SPITE OF MY ENTREATIES I AM EVIL ENTREATED, AND AM NOT ONLY PLACED ON...

All this was preparatory to an event, to me of the utmost importance, which is, perhaps, at this very moment, influencing imperceptibly my mind, and directing my character. Bran...

In about five minutes the servant returned, bowed, and led the way. He stepped up quietly and slowly. There was an awe in his deportment that chilled me. He opened the door of t...