supported by the
countenance of one who had gone through so many grave scenes in my
company.

"This has been a very extraordinary voyage of ours, Captain Poke," I
remarked, after the worthy sealer had swallowed sixteen eggs, an omelet,
seven cotelettes, and divers accessories. "Do you think of publishing
your private journal?"

"Why, in my opinion, Sir John, the less that either of us says of the
v'y'ge the better."

"And why so? We have had the discoveries of Columbus, Cook, Vancouver,
and Hudson--why not those of Captain Poke?"

"To own the truth, we sealers do not like to speak of our cruising
grounds--and, as for these monikins, after all, what are they good for?
A thousand of them wouldn't make a quart of 'ile, and by all accounts
their fur is worth next to nothin'."

"Do you account their philosophy for nothing? and their
jurisprudence?--you, who were so near losing your head, and who did
actually lose your tail, by the axe of the executioner?"

Noah placed a hand behind him, fumbling about the seat of reason, with
evident uneasiness. Satisfied that no harm had been done, he very coolly
placed half a muffin in what he called his "provision hatchway."

"You will give me this pretty model of our good old 'Walrus,' captain?"

"Take it, o' Heaven's sake, Sir John, and good luck to you with it. You,
who give me a full-grown schooner, will be but poorly paid with a toy."

"It's as like the dear old craft as one pea is like another!"

"I dare say it may be. I never knew a model that hadn't suthin' of the
original in it."

"Well, my good shipmate, we must part. You know I am to go and see the
lady who is soon to be my wife, and the diligence will be ready to take
you to Havre, before I return."

"God bless you! Sir John--God bless you!" Noah blew his nose till
it rung like a French horn. I thought his little coals of eyes were
glittering, too, more than common, most probably with moisture. "You're
a droll navigator, and make no more of the ice than a colt makes of
a rail. But though the man at the wheel is not always awake the heart
seldom sleeps."

"When the 'Debby and Dolly' is fairly in the water, you will do me the
pleasure of letting me know it."

"Count on me, Sir John. Before we part, I have, however, a small favor
to ask."

"Name it."

Here Noah drew out of his pocket a sort of basso relievo carved in pine.
It represented Neptune armed with a harpoon instead of a trident; the
captain always c