 I lived tollerably easy, in expectation of preferment, I was not
altogether without mortifications, which I not only suffered from the rude
insults of the sailors, and petty officers, among whom I was known by the name
of Loblolly Boy; but also from the disposition of Morgan, who, though friendly
in the main, was often very troublesome with his pride, which expected a good
deal of submission from me, and delighted in recapitulating the favours I had
received at his hands.
    About six weeks after my arrival on board, the surgeon bidding me follow him
into his cabbin, presented a warrant to me, by which I was appointed surgeon's
third mate on board the Thunder. - This he had procured by his interest at the
Navy-Office; as also another for himself, by virtue of which he was removed into
a second rate. I acknowledged his kindness in the strongest terms my gratitude
could suggest, and professed my sorrow at the prospect of losing such a valuable
friend, to whom I hoped to have recommended myself still further, by my
respectful and diligent behaviour. - But his generosity rested not here; - for,
before he left the ship, he made me a present of a chest and some cloaths, that
enabled me to support the rank to which he had raised me. - I found my spirit
revive with my good fortune; and now I was an officer, resolved to maintain the
dignity of my station, against all opposition or affronts; nor was it long
before I had occasion to exert my resolution; my old enemy the midshipman (whose
name was Crampley) entertaining an implacable animosity against me, for the
disgrace he had suffered on my account, had since that time taken all
opportunities of reviling and ridiculing me, when I was not intitled to retort
his bad usage. - And even after I had been rated on the books, and mustered as
surgeon's mate, did not think fit to restrain his insolence. - In particular,
being one day present, while I dressed a wound in a sailor's leg, he began to
sing a song, which I thought highly injurious to the honour of my country, and
therefore signified my resentment, by observing, that the Scots always laid
their account in finding enemies among the ignorant, insignificant and
malicious. - This unexpected piece of assurance enraged him to such a degree,
that he lent me a blow on the face, which I verily thought had demolished my
cheekbone; I was not slow in returning the obligation, and the affair began to
be very serious, when by accident
