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What it is we can readily pronounce, when we see a man under its revolting phases. What is not drunkenness is more hard to say. Is it not difficult to ascertain the nice line that separates excitement from incipient delirium? Not at all, to a man like Captain Reud. To understand a disease thoroughly, a physician will tell you that you will be much assisted by the having suffered from it yourself.
I am under some slight obligations to Sir Reginald and yet I cannot decide. The weight of evidence certainly preponderates in favour of the new claimant. Captain Reud, perhaps, will permit him to land, and he may go up to town immediately, and have an interview with Mr , the lawyer; and, if he can satisfy that person, he will receive from him further instructions as to his future proceedings."
I come on board the Eos, and I ask him at your hands, Captain Reud. Is that person with the discoloured countenance my friend's son? Certainly not. Is that other person his son a disgraced man? Knowing the noble race of my friend, I should say certainly not. He is not here; or, if he be here, I cannot distinguish him. I wash my hands of it I hate mysteries. I will take neither of them to London.
The presence of the two stranger captains was still a restraint upon him. At length he cast his eyes upon Captain Reud, and putting into his countenance the drollest look of deprecation mingled with fun, said plaintively, "Are we friends, Captain Reud?" "The best in the world, doctor," was the quick reply, and he rose and extended his open hand.
Go and turn in." "Turned out," I muttered, as I left the room. From this brief incident, young as I was, I augured badly of Captain Reud. I at once felt that I had broken some rule of etiquette, but I knew that he had sinned against the dictates of mere humanity.
This last interview with Captain Reud, for it was my last, would have made me wretched, had it not been swallowed up by a deeper wretchedness of my own. Early next morning, we weighed, and made sail for Sheerness. On anchoring in the Medway, Captain Reud went on shore; and, as I shall have no more occasion to refer to him, I shall state at once, that the very fate he so feared awaited him.
"I am particularly sorry, my lord," said the doctor "I am very particularly sorry, Captain Reud, to break in upon you unannounced; the fact is, I did knock several times but I suppose I was not heard. This letter, my lord, I hope will be a sufficient apology." His lordship took the letter with a proud condescension. Captain Reud said, "Dr Thompson's presence is always acceptable to me."
"If you will be so kind, Captain Reud, to promise for yourself and the other gentlemen, to raise no discussion upon any particular phrase that may arise." The captain did promise. We shall presently see how that promise was kept. The book was sent for, and placed in my hands. Now I fully opined that at least we should get past the second page. I was curiously mistaken.
Captain Reud, don't you find this scene rather affecting? Young gentleman, I am here to verify you are you fully prepared, sir, to be, as it were, verified?" "My lord, my lord, I am bursting with impatience!" "Bursting with impatience! The scene is affecting, certainly touching complete, with the exception of the black eyes. What would not Miss Burney make of it in one of her admirable novels!
My astonishment and dismay were unbounded at hearing Captain Reud still vociferate, "Up higher, sir." The royal pole stood naked, with nothing attached to it but the royal and the signal-halyards, the latter running through the truck. My lady readers must understand that the truck is that round thing at the top of all the masts that looks so like a button.
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