to himself,) but his head had dropt down on his bosom, and his eyes were closed as if in sleep. He was dead quite cold and stiff-so they took him from his pleasant fern bank, to his late home, the workhouse, and the next day he was screwed down in the

shell of rough boards, the last allowance of parish bounty, and before sunset, those green sods were trampled down over the pauper's grave.-Farewell, old Johnny!

A.

Going faster and faster."

WE left his Majesty's sloop of war the Tottumfog in full stretch after a vessel to windward, and we now return to find the most of her crew planted on deck, glutting their eyes on their supposed victim, in the fullest expectation she would prove their prize. Nor was all this without some excellent reason; for if anything at all might be placed on the circumstance of the stranger's flying from them under a heavy press of sail the instant they gave chase, certainly both Captain Switchem and his officers were fully justified in concluding, that at the least she was not unlike the Irish smuggler, who, being seized and interrogated as to his refusal to await the custom-house officer's usual inspection, indignantly replied, "Why didn't I wait for him, said your worship?-becase, by St Patrick, I was in a hurry, and didn't at all like his company, dear."

The chase, therefore, was still continued with unabated zeal by both parties, when, the hour of meridian being already long past, Captain Switchem ordered dinner to be piped, at the same time cautioning all hands to be on the alert, and ready to jump on deck at the first sound of the call, as he might need them. Such an exhortation, however, was entirely unnecessary to a body of men already too much engrossed in the subject to care a single straw about either meat or drink.

Nor is this in the least surprising. Does not the zealot of the turf or the ring occasionally ride two hundred

Surely not, my kind master!"

miles at a stretch, in order to see a favourite piece of horse or human flesh gain the shout of the day? And has not the curler or the fowler been known to spend sixteen hours out and out, with all the stupid philosophy of the jack-ass, amid ice, and snow, and December's surly wind-the first, with icicle at nose, wriggling his head, carcase, arms, and feet, almost as well as old Grimaldi in a pantomime- and the second, with snout in no better plight, floundering amid naked brush-wood or half-frozen marshes, with doublebarrel at secure, fingers thrust in mouth, or anywhere else equally comfortable, mud-boots leaking, and trowsers torn

when they might both spend the same time in their own warm, comfortable parlours in social converse and the realities of life, were they not both equally cursed with the most enviable wish to shine as the first man on the ice, or the most famousest shot in the county? We know that such things are we believe it all-and yet can honestly add, that it sinks into utter insignificance when compared with the fervid energics displayed by British seamen in a chase. Who that has seen the keen and enlarged eye fixed steadily on the object of desire in view-the ready zeal and laughable good-humour which pervades all ranks in their eagerness to assist in the work indispensable to that end-the fervency of their frequent addresses to the wind, coaxing, and whiffling, and wheedling to it with all the uxoriousness of do

tary, or to the vessel which carries them in a style equally ludicrous, to blow or place them speedily alongside of it;—who that has seen these, in conjunction with the placid coolness, the lion heart, the determined hand, and utter disregard of every peril before action, combined with the most sovereign contempt of all advantage, the blunt, honest, manly feeling humanity, and even kindness, displayed after it-in short, the marvellous compound of the lion and the lamb-but must acknowledge, that they are characteristics which, compared with every nation, tribe, and tongue under Heaven, whether aquatic or terrene, belong, and exclusively belong, to the ocean warriors of this great and glorious empire?

During the time of dinner, and while, even in this short period, the hatchways were thronged with passers to and fro, eager to have a peep how the chase was getting on, Captain Switchem, with his officers and the pilot of the ship, each, glass in hand, kept carefully surveying the stranger, and watching her movements.

"I think the wind lulls, Fyke," said the Captain, "and that we are losing ground fast. Turn up some dozen or two of the fellows on deck, and let them fill the engine. I'll have the courses wet directly."

""Twill be doing no more than our chase is busy about just now, sir, if my eyes don't belie me," replied Lieutenant Fyke, still holding the glass to

his eye. "'Pon my soul, I'm right. She is both wetting and getting up a fresh topsail on her after-mast-I see them crossing the yard even now. By my honour, she is a charming, lively creature, and goes through it spankingly."

"A trim boat, beyond a doubt," returned the Captain. "But come, let us bustle. Ettercap, d'ye hear, boyjump, and tell Master Marlin I want him.

"Here I am, sir," cried the Boatswain, coming aft.

"O, Master Marlin, pipe up the idlers directly, and get the engine filled without delay-I'm going to wet the courses."

"Ay, ay, sir," cried the Boatswain; then clapping his pipe in his mouth, he estonished the whole mess-tables with "All the idlers on deck, hoy!"

"Thunder and wounds!" cried the bulky Boatswain's-mate, rising somewhat testily from his half-finished din

ner, "what the devil wants he now, and with such pretty fellows as the idlers too? Damnation! he might let a fellow have his wittals in season, however, I think.-D'ye hear there, fore and aft, all the idlers on deckCome, jump, my boys-jump like smart and lively lads, as God knows you all really are. D'ye hear in the galley there ?-all the idlers on deck. Come, old Slushyfists, what are you thinking on-why don't you and your cleanly chum there jump on deck?— Doesn't hear the call?"

"O yes, Bird, we hears the call," growled the one-armed Cook; "but how the blazes can I go on deck now, and leave them there coppers in such a blasted pickle. D-n me, they'll freeze in a minute, and then there will be the devil to pay; so what's the use of talking about it? I must even clean them out now the water is hot, or leave 'em alone, and that's more than my warrant is worth. There's Dick there, he may go, and I'll come the moment I'm done with my coppers, for I can't and won't leave them now-and that's an end to the matter."

"You can't and won't, d'ye say, Master Cook?" replied Bird, with something of surprise in his countenance; "'tis mighty well, and devilish sulky, however, though mayhap you're right. You knows the weight of your warrant, I see, my lad, and long may you keep it for what I care; but it's a d-d sight more than I durst say, that's all. Come, Dick, douse that swab, and jump on deck.-Yo hoy, there! what art thinking of, you roasters and broilers? Don't you hear the idlers called? Mayhap you'll be for touching us off with your can'ts and won'ts also."

"'Pon my soul, Tom," cried the Captain's Cook, "you must excuse me at present, lad. I dare not leave my charge now, 'tis more than my life is worth. Bless your heart, my dear fellow, were I to be a moment absent just now, the Captain's dinner would be completely spoilt."

"Well, and what though it should, Master Sheepshank?" cried Bird; "'tis no more than what he often does to other folks.-Come, come, my lad of sweet morsels, douse your stew-pans and goblets into the ash-pit there for a few minutes, and jump on deck."

"Douse the devil into the ash-pit there!" cried the enraged Cook, brandishing his flour-roller in a menacing attitude; "d'ye think I'm going to

spoil the Captain's dinner, and get myself into trouble, for either you or your infernal deck? Not I, indeed, Master Bird-I'll be d-d sooner, and that's flat."

"You won't go then, Master Consequence?"

"Not I-I'll move never a foot from where I am, unless I'm forced, and then they-I mean whoever does somay stand the consequences."

Very well, Master Cook," replied Bird, in a somewhat subdued tone, "I'll see if we can't get some folks forced on deck, in spite of their consequences, and high flashing-Blast me, if I won't."

"You, Bird," bawled the Boatswain down the galley-skuttle, "why, what the devil are you after there, palavering all day?—didn't hear me pipe the idlers up about five minutes ago? and the devil a one's on deck but the armourer, the carpenters, the purser's steward, some servants, dirty Dick, and that old lazy humbug of a soldier the shoemaker."

"Why, what can I do, sir," growled the crest-fallen Bird, "when the whole of them there d-d cooks are such mighty men, they'll not even budge a peg unless they please? Idlers on deck, indeed!-by the Lord Harry, if I woudn't sooner turn up both watches at midnight."

"Who is it that won't budge a peg, Tom?"

"Why, old Slushy fists here is one, forsooth, that swears he can't and won't turn himself up, until he cleans out his coppers; and this here fine fancy man of the cabin is another, and he says as how he can't let go his pots and gimcracks for a minute, without completely spoiling the Captain's dinner. But I'll see other days with them both yet, I hope, and then they may look out, that's all."

"Oh, you needn't be bragging and threatening, Bird, because Master Marlin is present," cried the Captain's Cook;" "you knows well, I'm not the lad that will truckle under you, for as bulky as you are.—I can assure you, Master Marlin, I have said nothing but the real truth, whatever Bird may growl at. Here I have my custards, and my table-bread, besides some half-dozen of covers all in the oven-both my blamange and flummery are ready mixed up-and all these, my dear sir, I'm sure you knows, will go to the devil if I leaves them, were it but for a moment."

VOL. XVI.

"D-n your custards, and kickshaws to boot, you pie-making lubber!" cried the Boatswain; "you're never in want of an excuse when anything is to do. Never mind him, Bird; jump up here and get the engine filled, with what hands you have-the Captain wants the courses in steep as soon as possible."

"Ay, ay, sir," growled Bird, coming on deck, and surveying in silence the motley band of idlers ;—who now, in the extremes of cleanliness and filth, stood listlessly gazing, with folded arms, before him, awaiting orders.

"Here's a precious set of customers," he cried, scratching his pate, from mere vexation, "for a poor fellow to make anything of.-Wet the courses, indeed; by the Lord, I'll swear we shan't have the engine set a-going for two bells to come. However, 'tis all one to Bird; he may vex himself as he likes, but 'twill make it no better.-D'ye hear there, you Master Whitestockings, jump up on the gunnel there, like a jolly serving-man, and draw water-but no, avast, d-n me, you'll not do-your paws are too fine, and we shan't have a bucketfull out of your twenty attempts, so that would be only a losing of time. Here, you shoemaker-no, dang it, you'll not do either-What an infernal set of mongrel curs I've got to deal with!D'ye hear there, dirty Dick of the coppers? come this way, my cleanly beauty-by the hookey, you're used to the game, you know-jump up there, my fine greasy fellow, and draw water. D'ye hear me, old ship! jump, and bear a hand. The rest of you clap all to the engine, and see that you work her like devils."

It

After repeated exhortations of nearly a similar description, the engine was at length filled, and set a-going, Bird directing the pipe in person. was worked, however, so inefficiently, and with so many interruptions, caused by the scanty supply of water, as not only to make him lose all patience, but to storm, and bawl, and swear like a madman, to the infinite amusement of the few officers who were onlookers.

Things were in this state, when the man at the mast-head suddenly sung out," On deck, there!"

"Hilloah!" answered Tom Bird, gladly seizing on an occasion that had the smallest probability of putting an end to his present irksome employ

ment.

2 T

Ay, ay, sir," cried the signalman, bending on his pendant.

66

Zounds, how the wind lulls, Fyke!" continued the Captain; “Isn't it most teazingly vexatious-why, we haven't neared the chase a single length this last half hour, and we can't carry on in this manner much longer; for we're too nigh the land, you know. By the by, where's the pilot? where Mr Kenilkcoast? Pinafore, tell him I want him."

By the diligence of the boy, the pilot stood speedily at his elbow, and was introduced to his notice by the laconic trio of " The pilot, sir."

"O, Kenilkcoast, you're there pray how far did you say we were off the Vigtin Isles this morning? for I positively forget."

"By the report I made you, Captain Switchem," answered the pilot, 66 we were nearly thirty miles to the south-west of them this morning."

"Good Heavens! so very near, Kenilkcoast, and my vessel running in their tract all day-Why, surely, surely we must be close in with them by this time, pilot?"

"That is just what I expect, sir, and, indeed, have been looking for this last half hour from the forecastle."

"And why not inform me of all this sooner, Kenilkcoast? Really, by my honour, I take this negligence of yours very unkind indeed, who should know the anxiety I feel on such occasions so well. I suppose now the sooner I shorten sail the better-eh?"

By no means, Captain Switchem; there is not the smallest danger in the world, I assure you, sir. We have plenty of water, a fine bold shore

excellent sea-room, and moderate weather; and while this continues, I would really advise you to carry on, at least for another half-hour. I confess, I am the more anxious for this, sir, as I expect ere the expiry of that time to make the land, and particularly as I had every reason to think, before leaving the forecastle, that the weather had all the appearance of becoming hazy, which it undoubtedly will do if the wind continues to lull as rapidly as it has done for this last hour. I have another reason to mention, sir, and it is this, that if the sail now approaching our quarter, should turn out to be one of our cruizers, which I have little doubt she is

The pilot was here very unceremoniously interrupted by the signalman, who came to announce to his commander that the vessel on his quarter had hoisted the private signal.

"Has she indeed, Jerry ?-let me see-hand me that glass-Ay, so she has, my fine fellow, so she has, sure enough.-Eh-nine-seven-fourwho is that again, Fyke?"

"Why, sir, 'tis Farrell and his Whippersnapper," answered the first Lieutenant.

"Oh, now I recollect, so it is.Well, Farrell is a fine dashing fellow, well acquainted with this quarter, and my junior-and all these I take to be excellent hits.- Harkye, Jerry, jump aft there, haul down your pendant, and hoist our number directly. Be so good, Fyke, as to see that he is correct.-Well, Kenilkcoast, you can now proceed, for you see it is one of our cruizers as you supposed."

"I was merely going to make the simple remark, sir, that in my opinion you ought to follow the chase as long as you can see her, for I have no doubt but she has hopes of giving you a French leave among the islands, to which she is evidently making the best of her way; and now that you are so ably seconded by Captain Farrell, who has been many years in these seas, and knows them in all their minutiæ, my notion is strengthened, and I now consider her ultimate escape from you, with proper management, to be nearly impossible. I would therefore strongly advise your carrying on for another half hour at the least, or for a shorter period, should we make the land; which will not only enable you to come up with your chase all the sooner, but will give you plenty

of time to concert measures with Farrell upon what you may think best to be done which certainly cannot be a very difficult matter, where you can even employ your boats against her with excellent effect."

"Bravo! my good Kenilkcoast-I certainly am bound to thank you for your simple remark, as you are modestly pleased to call it, which, however, I think, is a pretty shrewd one, and which I pledge you my honour, Fyke and I shall certainly discuss without delay. Well, we shall carry on for the time you mention, or longer, if you wish it.-Meantime, my brave fellow, d'ye think you are certain of the ground we are on?"

Pilot.

Perfectly so, sir," answered the

"And you know what bottom we have also, I suppose?"

"We have no bottom, sir, within a reel's line, until we get close in upon the Vigtins-probably, say, within short mile of 'em."

"Ah, very good, Kenilkcoast, very good indeed-Now would you oblige me so far as to take a trial at soundings as soon as you please, merely to satisfy my curiosity?"

"O, certainly, sir, nothing can be more easy.-Quartermaster, get me the deep-sea lead loaded directly, and pass the line forward: I'm going to take soundings."

"And you, Fyke," said the Captain, " do go forward, and halt these fellows at the engine, who you see are doing little good except making us uncomfortable. Knock them off, therefore, get the engine stowed away, and call the watch, that the Pilot here may get his soundings taken in a proper manner."

The order came like music to the ears of the much-chated Bird.

"Ay, ay, sir," exclaimed he, exultingly, unscrewing the director, and throwing it from him, "knock-off is it, at last? by the jetty of Yarmouth and it's no more than time, I thinks, craving the pardon of some folks.— Come, come, my lively customers, don't you hear the news? have done, have done. D'ye hear there, my greasy beauty? knock off, if you please, we've had water enough. By the Lord, Dick, a spell of this kind does you a world of good, for, dang it if your own dirty mug is not sparkling and shining just now like a new paint

ed bulk-head in the sun.-Here, old Saw-dust, away with them there hose and director to your store-room; and you, my spinks of files, awls, and handtowels,-smart lads though-capsize that engine of its water, and bundle it down to the hold.-Come, sinartly, lads, smartly, for time is precious, as the skipper says in his preachments."

Having thus, by dint of swearing and shouldering, cleared the deck of his idlers, Bird now wiped his highly coloured forehead, blew his whistle, and called the watch; bawling to them as they hurried on deck," Come, jump up, jump up, my jolly dogs,upon the guns there, and hand along the line."

"Are you all ready, forward there?" cried the first Lieutenant.

"All ready, sir," answered a forecastleman, from the spritsail yard, holding the lead.

Heave, then; heave, my lad !" was his next command, echoed by the words "Watch, there, watch!" sung out by each topman to his mate, as the coil of line receded from his hand, until it came aft to the place where the Captain stood posted observing the Pilot, who, doubtless, beheld with some satisfaction his prediction of no bottom amply verified.

"Aft here, you afterguard, and haul in the line," bawled the stormy Bird.

"I see you are quite correct, Kenilkcoast," said the Captain, turning round and surveying his sails;-" but you expect to make the land shortly, don't you?"

66

Every moment, sir,” replied the Pilot. "Were it not getting so cursedly hazy, the look-out must have seen it before now."

"Ah! say you so, Kenilkcoast ?Well, well, my good fellow, we must just keep our eyes about us all the smarter, that's all." Then turning to his first Lieutenant, as the Pilot walked away to his old station on the forecastle, he said, "How now, Fykehow get we on, think you?"

"Oh, very ill, sir-vastly ill indeed. She falls off astonishingly-and then this cursed fog

"Is rather unfortunate, to be sure," interrupted the Captain; "but it matters not. Kenilk coast assures me there is not the smallest danger, so I think we will just carry on in the best manner we can, until the night breeze