"and it can't be helped. You have your duty
to perform, and so have I. Do your worst!"

"But, BILLY, you were not always like this!"

"No, JACK, I was not. Once I used to prattle at my mother's knee. I
was beloved by my brothers and sisters, and I was the pride of the
nursery!"

And then the strong man broke down, and wept bitterly.

"But have you not fallen very low?" asked the British Captain, gently.

"Indeed I have! I am a thief, a liar, a scoundrel--and, in fact, a
blackguard!"

"With such surroundings," returned the Officer R.N., pointing to
the _debris_ of the pirate craft, "it is difficult to dispute your
contention. Indeed, you are a blackguard! But to what cause do you
owe your fall?"

"To my early training."

"I do not comprehend you. Your early training! Where were you
trained?"

"In the _Britannia_!"

And then the British Captain completely understood the situation.

* * * * *

[Illustration: A SOLILOQUY.

(_At the close of the German Exhibition._)

_West Kensington Cuirassier_. "NOW OI WONDER WHAT KOIND OF AN 'ERO
OI'LL 'AVE TO BE NEXT YEAR?"]

* * * * *

NOTICE.--Rejected Communications or Contributions, whether MS.,
Printed Matter, Drawings, or Pictures of any description, will in no
case be returned, not even when accompanied by a Stamped and Addressed
Envelope, Cover, or Wrapper. To this rule there will be no exception.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol.
101. October 17, 1891, by Various

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PUNCH, VOL. 101 ***

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