Then it was that his true character began to develope
itself, so that during his first cruise, its natural deformity became so
apparent as to cause the rest of the officers to look with fear and
astonishment upon one, in whom the gifts of extraordinary talents seemed
to have been lavished, only to become blended with cunning, artfulness
and licentious profligacy, whose disposition was mean and avaricious,
and whose temper, though not violent, was cruel, revengeful and
unforgiving.
Although young Rowland was also a complete master of the art of
dissimulation he did not deem it worth his while to exercise it among
the young gentleman of his mess, and he had been but a short time on
board His Majesty's ship Vixen, before he was very much feared, and very
cordially hated by his equals, whilst he was looked upon with uneasiness
and disgust by his superiors.
All these things combined together, rendered Rowland's situation
anything but agreeable; so after having been a twelvemonth in the
service, he very abruptly left it by taking, what is vulgarly called, a
'French leave' of the Vixen and her officers, whilst that vessel was
taking in provisions and water at the island of Madagascar.
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