e to
the oddity of his character. He was in stature at least six feet high,
though he had contracted a habit of stooping, by living so long on
board; his complexion was tawny, and his aspect rendered hideous by a
large scar across his nose, and a patch that covered the place of
one eye. Being seated in his chair, with great formality the landlord
complimented him upon his being able to come abroad again; and having in
a whisper communicated the name of his fellow-guest, whom the commodore
already knew by report, went to prepare, with all imaginable despatch,
the first allowance of his favourite liquor, in three separate cans (for
each was accommodated with his own portion apart), while the lieutenant
sat down on the blind side of his commander; and Tom Pipes, knowing his
distance, with great modesty took his station in the rear.

After a pause of some minutes, the conversation was begun by this
ferocious chief, who, fixing his eye upon the lieutenant with a
sternness of countenance not to be described, addressed him in these
words: "D-- my eyes! Hatchway, I always took you to be a better seaman
than to overset our chaise in such fair weather. Blood! didn't I tell
you we were running bump ashore, and bid you set in the ice-brace, and
haul up a wind?"--"Yes," replied the other, with an arch sneer, "I do
confess as how you did give such orders, after you had run us foul of
a post, so as that the carriage lay along, and could not right
herself."--"I run you foul of a post!" cried the commander: "d-- my
heart! you're a pretty dog, an't you, to tell me so above-board to my
face? Did I take charge of the chaise? Did I stand at the helm?"--"No,"
answered Hatchway; "I must confess you did not steer; but, howsomever,
you cunned all the way, and so, as you could not see how the land lay,
being blind of your larboard eye, we were fast ashore before you knew
anything of the matter, Pipes, who stood abaft, can testify the truth of
what I say."--"D-- my limbs!" resumed the commodore, "I don't value what
you or Pipes say a rope-yarn. You're a couple of mutinous--I'll say no
more; but you shan't run your rig upon me, d-- ye, I am the man that
learnt you, Jack Hatchway, to splice a rope and raise a perpendicular."

The lieutenant, who was perfectly well acquainted with the trim of his
captain, did not choose to carry on the altercation any further;
but taking up his can, drank to the health of the stranger, who very
courteously returned