went the song.

Captain Tom had a parcel under his arm, which he laid on the house roof,

and then turning suddenly to the strangers: 'Here, you!' he bellowed,

'be off out of that!'

The clerk and Herrick stood not on the order of their going, but fled

incontinently by the plank. The performer, on the other hand, flung down

the instrument and rose to his full height slowly.

'What's that you say?' he said. 'I've half a mind to give you a lesson

in civility.'

'You set up any more of your gab to me,' returned the Scotsman, 'and

I'll show ye the wrong side of a jyle. I've heard tell of the three

of ye. Ye're not long for here, I can tell ye that. The Government has

their eyes upon ye. They make short work of damned beachcombers, I'll

say that for the French.'

'You wait till I catch you off your ship!' cried the captain: and

then, turning to the crew, 'Good-bye, you fellows!' he said. 'You're

gentlemen, anyway! The worst nigger among you would look better upon a

quarter-deck than that filthy Scotchman.'

Captain Tom scorned to reply; he watched with a hard smile the departure

of his guests; and as soon as the last foot was off the plank; turned to

The Ebb-Tide