"I have been looking back on my own boyish journal of that time.
My mother made me keep a log, as I hope yours does. But it is
strange to see how little of the action it tells. The truth is, I
was nothing but a butterfly of a youngster. To save my conceit,
the first lieutenant, Wallis, told me I was assigned to keep an
eye on the after-battery, where were two fine old fellows as ever
took the King's pay really commanding the crews and managing the
guns. Much did I know about sighting or firing them! However, I
knew enough to keep my place. I remember tying up a man's arm with
my own shirt-sleeves, by way of showing I was not frightened, as
in truth I was. And I remember going down to the cockpit with a
poor wretch who was awfully burned with powder,--and the sight
there was so much worse than it was at my gun that I was glad to
get back again. Well, you may judge, that, from two
after-portholes below, first larboard, then starboard, I _saw_
little enough of the battle. But I have talked about it since,
with Dale, who was Jones's first lieutenant, and whom I met at
Charlestown when he commanded the yard there. I have talked of it
with Wallis many times. I talked of it with Sir Richard Pearson,
who was afterwards Lt.-Gov. of Greenwich, and whom I saw there.
Paul Jones I have touched my hat to, but never spoke to, except
when we all took wine with him one day at dinner. But I have met
his niece, Miss Janet Taylor, who lives in London now, and
calculates nautical tables. I hope you will see her some day. Then
there is a gentleman named Napier in Edinburgh, who has the
Richard's log-book. Go and see it, if you are ever there,--Mr.
George Napier. And I have read every word I could find about the
battle. It was a remarkable fight indeed. 'All of which I was,
though so little I saw.'"
[_Mem._ by F.C. And dear Ingham's nice old grandfather is a little
slow in getting into action, _me judice_. It was a way they had in
the navy before steam.]