others were taken to bed by Peter Anderson and Ben; and at last there
were but four or five left. One of these was the other boatswain's mate
of the ward. I knew very little of him at that time, except that his
name was James Turner. He was a very quiet well-behaved man, and seemed
to be more fond of sitting or walking alone than of being in company;
never was known to drink too much; and, indeed, as boatswain's mate, was
more relied upon by Anderson than even Ben was--although, perhaps, Ben
was his more constant companion. The conversation relative to the
particulars of the battle of the Nile was resumed, and Anderson
observed--

"What an awful sight it must have been to behold the blowing up of
the 'L'Orient' French three-decker, with upward of a thousand men
on board! Merciful Heaven! so many poor fellows launched into
eternity in one moment! They say there were but seventy-three
saved."

"There were nearly as many souls lost when the 'Royal George' went
down at Spithead, with all the fleet at anchor round about her,"
replied Ben; "were there not, Turner, for you were on board of
her?"

"Yes, I should think there were," replied Turner; "but it is
impossible to say how many people were on board at the time."

"Messmate," said Anderson, "as all the noisy ones are gone, and we
shall be able to hear you, suppose that you let us know all about
it? I have heard a good deal, but, I suspect, not the rights of
it."