i stood there in a high state of agitation for a good twenty minutes while the captains and lord nelson exchanged compliments , and then , when it was time for captain fishburne and lord nelson to return to the raleigh , i stepped out and said , `` begging your pardon , sir , but i must have a word with you , '' thereby ending my naval career , `` but seaman jones of your ship has just delivered to me a letter from one i hold most dear and i would prefer that he not be flogged for doing that , sir .