We had three other somewhat important personages on board who were characters in their way--Richard Fleming the boatswain, James Pincott the carpenter, and Thomas Veal the captain's steward.  They each had their peculiarities; but I will not stop now to describe them.  We had twenty men forward, all picked hands; for, with the long voyage we contemplated, and the service we were on, it was necessary to be strongly manned.  I must not omit a description of the _Triton_ herself. She had a raised poop, beneath which were situated the chief cabins, and a forecastle, under which the crew lived in two compartments, one on either side of it.  There was also a caboose, or galley, with a great cooking-range, and, indeed, every convenience the men could desire.  We carried eight guns--9-pounders--for we were going into seas where it would be necessary to be well-armed, and constantly on our guard against treachery; and we were also amply supplied with boats, which, I may remark, were always kept in good order, and ready for instant use.  I was surprised one day during a calm, before we had been long at sea, to hear the order given to lower boats when there was no ship in sight, and apparently no reason for it.  So were those of the crew who had not before sailed with Captain Frankland.  They, however, flew to obey the order, and, in a short time, three boats were manned and in the water. They were then hoisted in again, and stowed.