of Mr. Pearse for interment by his friends. Captain Pellew for answer
desired Mr. N. to read the contents of a paper which he drew from his
pocket. It was a direction that if he, Capt. P., should foil, his body
should at once be thrown overboard. Of course Mr. N. immediately
withdrew his request.




CHAPTER IV.

THE WESTERN SQUADRONS.


The capture of the first frigate in a war is always an object of much
interest; and the circumstances of the late action, the merit of which
was enhanced by the skill and gallantry of the enemy, gave additional
importance to Captain Pellew's success. "I never doubted," said Lord
Howe, "that you would take a French frigate; but the manner in which you
have done it, will establish an example for the war."

The brothers were introduced to the King on the 29th of June, by the
Earl of Chatham, First Lord of the Admiralty; when Captain Pellew
received the honour of knighthood, and his brother was made a
post-captain. Besides the usual promotions, the master, Mr. Thomson,
received a lieutenant's commission. As Mr. Thomson was a master of
considerable standing, the captain supposed that he would decline the
change to be a junior lieutenant; but the master preferred to get into
the line for promotion, and as the result showed, he decided wisely, for
he followed Sir Edward to the _Arethusa_ and _Indefatigable_; and as he