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we were, and stopping to observe me. appeared very well satisfied with (illegible text) method of application; and afterwards sent for me to his cabin, where having examined me touching my skill in surgery and the particulars of my fortune interested himself so far in any behalf as to promise his assistance in proving a warrant for me, seeing I had been already found qualified at Surgeons hall; and this he the more cordially engaged in when he understood I was nephew to Lieutenant Bowling, for whom he expressed a particular regard. About six weeks after my arrival on board, the surgeon bidding me follow him into the cabin, presented a warrant to me by which I was appointed surgeon's third mate on board the Thunder as also another for himself by virtue of which he was removed into a second rate. I acknowledged his kindness in the strongest terms and professed my sorrow at the prospect of losing such a valuable friend; but his generosity rested not here, for he made a present of a chest and some clothes, that enabled me to support the rank to which he had raised me.
About this time, Captain Oakhum having received sailing orders, came on board and brought along with him a surgeon of his own country who soon made us sensible of the loss of Dr. Atkins. We weighed anchor and sailed to the Downs, where we took the benefit of the first easterly wind to go round to Spithead;
