in peace."

Although the Rover was far from believing, with his captive, that the
tongue of Desire could disturb the harmony of his ship, he was in the
humour to be indulgent. Touching the spring again, he took a handful of
the gold, and, extending it towards Homespun demanded,--

"Will you take the bounty, and the oath? The money will then be your own."

"The Lord defend us from the evil one, and deliver us all from
temptation!" ejaculated the tailor: "Heroic Rover, I have a dread of the
law. Should any evil overcome you, in the shape of a King's cruiser, or a
tempest cast you on the land, there might be danger in being contaminated
too closely with your crew. Any little services which I may render, on
compulsion, will be overlooked, I humbly hope and I trust to your
magnanimity, honest and honourable Commander, that the same will not be
forgotten in the division of your upright earnings."

"This is but the spirit of cabbaging, a little distorted muttered the
Rover, as he turned lightly on his heel, and tapped the gong, with an
impatience that sent the startling sound through every cranny of the ship.
Four or five heads were thrust in at the different doors of the cabin,
and the voice of one was heard, desiring to know the wishes of their
leader.

"Take him to his hammock," was the quick, sudden order.

The good-man Homespun, who, from fright or policy, appeared to be utterly
unable to move, was quickly lifted from his seat, and conveyed to the door
which communicated with the quarter-deck.

"Pause," he exclaimed to his unceremonious bearers, as they were about to
transport him to the place designated by their Captain; "I have one word
yet to say. Honest and loyal Rebel, though I do not accept your service,
neither do I refuse it in an unseemly and irreverent manner. It is a sore
temptation, and I feel it at my fingers' ends. But a covenant may be made
between us, by which neither party shall be a loser, and in which the law
shall find no grounds of displeasure. I would wish, mighty Commodore, to
carry an honest name to my grave, and I would also wish to live out the
number of my days; for, after having passed with so much credit, and
unharmed, through five bloody and cruel wars"----

"Away with him!" was the stern and startling interruption.

Homespun vanished, as though magic had been employed in transporting him,
and the Rover was again left to himself. His meditations were not
interrupted, for a long time