e, "I wonder how the corporal is: poor dear
man, to be ruled by such a traitorous atomy as he."

"Perhaps he will come ashore, madam," replied Babette.

"No no he will never let him; but, as you say, perhaps he may. Put
half-a-dozen bottles of the best beer to the stove--not too near,
Babette--he is fond of my beer, and it does one's heart good to see him
drink it, Babette. And, Babette, I'll just go up and put on something a
little tidier. I think he will come--I know he will if he can."

We must leave the widow to decorate her person, and follow Vanslyperken
down to the boat, and on board. On his arrival, he went down into the
cabin to lock up his money. When Corporal Van Spitter went to the
cabin-door, the corporal heard the clanking of the pieces as
Vanslyperken counted them, and his bile was raised at the idea of
Vanslyperken possessing that which should have been his own. The
corporal waited a little, and then knocked. Vanslyperken put away the
rest of his money, shut the drawer, and told him to come in.

The corporal saluted, and made a request to be allowed to go on shore
for an hour or two.

"Go on shore! you go on shore, corporal? why you never asked to go on
shore before," replied the suspicious Vanslyperken.

"If you please, sir," replied the corporal, "I wish to pay de people who
gave me de board and de lodging ven I vas last on shore."

"Ah, very true, I forgot that corporal. Well, then, you may go on
shore; but do not stop long, for the people are much inclined to mutiny,
and I cannot do without you."

The corporal quitted the cabin, and was put on shore by two of the men
in the small boat. He hastened up to the widow's house, and was
received with open arms. Seated on the squab sofa, with a bottle of
beer on the table, and five others all ready at the stove, the widow's
smiles beaming on him, who could be more happy than the Corporal Van
Spitter? The blinds were up at the windows, the front door fast to
prevent intrusion, and then the widow and he entered into a long
colloquy, interrupted occasionally by little amorous dallyings, which
reminded you of the wooings of a male and female elephant.

We shall give the substance of the conversation. The widow expressed
her indignation against Vanslyperken, and her resolution not to be
married until he was hanged. The corporal immediately became an
interested party, and vowed that he would assist all in his power. He
narrated all that had