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 pension I have eighteen pence in my pocket. But I propose to travel with Sheepshanks, and raise the wind by showing his tricks. He shall toss the caber from Land's End to Forthside, cheered by the plaudits of the intervening taverns and furthered by their bounty."

"A progress which we must try to expedite, if only out of regard for Mrs. Sheepshanks." I turned to Captain Coleiiso again. "Well, sir, will you accept me for your passenger?"

"I doubt that you are joking, sir."

"And I swear to you that I am not."

He hesitated; tottered to the companion, and called down, "Susannah! Susannah! a moment on deck, if you please. One of these gentlemen wishes to ship as passenger."

A dark-browed woman of middle age thrust her head above the ladder and eyed me. Even so might a ruminating cow gaze over her hedge upon some posting wayfarer. "What's he dressed in?" she demanded abruptly.

"Madam, it was intended for a ball suit."

"You will do no dancing here, young man."

"My dear lady, I accept that and every condition you may impose. Whatever the discipline of the ship"

She cut me short.

"Have you told him, father?"

"Why, no. You see, sir, I ought to tell you that this is not an ordinary voyage."

"Nor for that matter is mine."

"You will be exposed to risks." "In a privateer that goes without saying."

"The risk of capture."

"Naturally; though a brave captain will not dwell on it." And I bowed.

"But I do dwell on it," he answered earnestly, a red