Affairs being thus arranged, just before sunset Pearson and Moberly, after receiving many cautionary admonitions from the master's-mate, entered the boat that was waiting alongside to convey them to the shore, and as no great secret was made of the matter, the seamen assembled on the forecastle and loudly expressed their good wishes for the boatswain's success. Pearson had arrayed himself in his best long togs, and to be in keeping with his representation in the picture, Wildgust had lent him his hat and sword, so that he really displayed a very respectable figure as an officer; he had also a brace of silver-mounted pistols buckled in a belt round his loins. much the same as he was in the morning, except that he additional cutlass under his arm, "not caring," as he said, "to trust the precious life of his master to a bit of iron as was only fit for a toasting fork."

Jack was

carried an

When they landed from the boat, the crew gave them a cheer, and away they went towards the town;-Pearson elate and full of confidence, Jack fearful that he had committed some error, and keeping a watchful eye on all sides, to prevent anything like being taken by surprise. At length they reached the dwelling, and Moberly having secured himself a snug position by way of concealment, suffered the boatswain to proceed alone, which he did without interruption, though he was well aware that two or three Tartars were fully cognizant of his approach. The ladies were waiting for him; the corpulent one had recovered from somnolency, and with the letter in her hand was preparing to receive his devoirs, and very naturally expecting to be caressed. Pearson did not at first observe the demeanour of the lusty dame, his eyes were wandering in search of her who had made so deep an impression on his heart, but she was not to be seen, and on turning an inquiring look towards the stout woman, he perceived that she was ogling him in the most enticing manner, and then for the first time he beheld his love-letter pressed upon a bosom as huge as high Olympus.

"Confound that old fool," said he, with emphasis, " I see it all now— fat and forty indeed; to go for to think that she-" his nose curled with contempt, but he stopped short in his speech and advanced to obtain possession of the letter, when the lady fancying that his eagerness was complimentary to herself, suddenly opened her arms and grasping him in her embrace like a bear hugging a monkey, poor Pearson was almost smothered. After some struggling he contrived to get free, and a little tea being put into a small cup, hot water was poured upon it, and this, without milk or sugar was given him to drink. The unhappy boatswain, afraid of being thought disrespectful, tried to swallow it, but

Whilst they were gone, Pearson's but regularly thumping against

made many wry faces before he could get the whole down; he then by counting six upon his fingers, numbering the five ladies, and holding up one finger alone, contrived to inquire after the absent damsel. Great was his chagrin when he understood by their motions that she was indisposed, still he requested to see her, and after much solicitation two of the ladies went to fetch her. heart beat-no, it was not beating, his breast, like a miner at work with his pick, and when the object of his regard entered the room, the throbbings of his pulse might almost have been heard. Making a powerful effort to rally, he extended his hand, took hers, pressed it in his own, and then omnipotent nature asserting her irresistible influence, he caught the astonished but delighted girl in his arms and pressed her to his heart, swearing-yes, he actually swore, that he loved no other being in creation as he loved her, and the grand chop, though given by mistake to the fat lady, was in point of fact intended solely for her hands. Of course, much of this was not understood, but the general purport was, and a hubbub immediately arose amongst the party assembled, who now strove to force the last comer away, whilst the lusty lady assumed many ludicrous airs, and affected to believe herself a grossly injured woman; indeed Pearson could make out that she considered herself betrothed, and was de facto his wife.

Here was a pretty mess old Jack had got him into, but still he was resolved not to part with the young female nor suffer her to be illtreated; he therefore drew her closely towards him for protection, and she, nothing loth, evinced much gratification at the attentions which he paid her, and eventually a few presents which he had brought with him being judiciously bestowed, produced a seeming restoration of harmony, and after two hours of sweet enjoyment to the enamoured boatswain, he took his departure, promising to renew his visit on the ensuing evening.

Jack Moberly, ensconced in the cavity he had selected as his post of concealment, had repeatedly applied his mouth to that of a bottle he had carefully stowed away in his trousers pocket, and the potency of the liquor as well as the extreme quiet that prevailed operating upon his senses, very soon rendered him as drowsy as the fat lady in the morning, and like her he sank into a profound slumber, during which he dreamed of flying dragons and all sorts of mischief, when suddenly being awoke by a noise, he saw one of the former within a short distance of his face, and his first impulse was to make a blow at it, but becoming instantly aware that it was nothing more than a painting upon a Chinese

K

lantern, he remained still, and was enabled to see three Tartars, each with his lantern, outside the cavity, who having deposited something in a sack near his retreat, went off together.

"Now what the deuce are those fellows up to," thought Moberly, "a sack full of plunder no doubt, and mayhap some good pickings. Howsomever here goes for a overhaul"-he projected himself forward but instantly drew back again, exclaiming as he grasped a pistol " Avast you lubbers-none o' your tricks upon an owld seaman-I'm blessed if the sack arnt alive."

there

And sure enough it was in motion whilst a strange noise of a human being in pain, issued from it.

"Ho-ho," said Jack, again advancing, "that's the cock you're arter fighting, is it? Kidnapping eh-here goes though; now for a black dog or a blue monkey," he pulled out his knife, cut open the mouth of the sack, and after some pulling, out came Mr. Richard Pearson, boatswain of Her Majesty's Ship the Mercury-who pointing to his mouth showed to the bewildered Moberly, that his "governor" was gagged. Not an instant was lost in giving free use to his tongue.

"Bear a hand Jack!" said he, "them fellows will be alongside again directly-stand by to man-handle'em my hearty, and I'm bless'd if we don't show 'em how to pipe the bags up and no mistake the bodysnatching willans- don't fire, but give me here one of the cutlashes— knock 'em down, there's only three of 'em-look out, here they are a coming."

Pearson and his mate drew themselves to one side, beneath a projection that entirely shaded them from being seen, and when the Tartars came up, two of them were instantly felled to the earth; the third tried to escape, but Jack went in chase, and having caught the flying enemy, he brought him back to where the others were yet lying prostrate on the ground, and a consultation was held as to what they should do with them. By the light of the lanterns they observed a bundle of coarse canvas which the fellows had brought, and which, on closer inspection, turned out to be sacks; three of them were immediately put in requisition, and the boatswain and his mate were not long in cramming a Tartar into each, and then tying the sack's mouth round the neck of the kidnapper with his own long tail.

At this moment, a Chinese came up, and the matter being explained to him he expressed great satisfaction, "Ayah! mister officer; changee for changee, very good that!"

66

'Why aye! friend fokhee,” replied the boatswain's mate,“ the pickarooning wagabones have made a bit of changee for changee as you say, they wanted to bag the governor,' but you see they've got the sack