“And so this is the young gentleman that desires to avenge his mistress!” said the Colonel, when they had both spoke to me very condescendingly. “Well, I don’t know but one thing that makes a man fight better than the desire of vengeance.”
“And what’s that, Colonel?” asked Mr Watson.
“Why, sir, the fanatic fury of a religious war. The man that believes himself Heaven’s commissioned messenger don’t dare allow himself in slackness.”
“Sure, sir,” said I, “my commission is also from Heaven, for the lady I desire to serve could in no way be distinguished from an angel.”
“Well, you’ll have your wish before long, I hope,” says Colonel Clive, smiling at my warmth, yet not unkindly, “for I believe our difficulties are composed at last.”
“Indeed,” says the Admiral, “I can’t tell how grateful I am that Mr Fraser has been laid aside all this while. My troubles would have been ten times greater had he been continually scolding me for delay.”
“Indeed, sir, I have much for which to ask your pardon,” I said.
“And you also may be thankful, young gentleman,” said the Colonel, “for your sickness, for I hear the surgeon says that the disorder of your brain would without it have increased into madness.”
But perhaps my greatest cause of gratitude, madam, is the frightful delay that has occurred, since the force has not been able to sail without your obedient, &c.
His Majesty’s Ship Tyger, Madrass Road, Oct. ye 9th.