ed
meant, and that when the anchor dropped from the bow, a scene of bustle
ensued, to which nothing at sea bore any proportion. Now, I had no
friends; no one came to welcome me,--none asked for _my_ name. The
officers, even the captain, in the excitement of arriving, had forgotten
all about me; so that when the mate put the question to me, "why I
didn't go ashore?" I had no other answer to give him than the honest
one, "that I had nothing to do when I got there." "I suppose you know
how to gain a livin' one way or t' other, my lad?" said he, with a very
disparaging glance out of the corner of his eye.

"I am ashamed to say, sir, that I do not."

"Well, I never see'd Picaroons starve,--that's a comfort you have; but
as we don't mean to mess you here, you 'd better get your kit on deck,
and prepare to go ashore."

Now, the kit alluded to was the chest of clothes given to me by the
captain, which, being bestowed for a particular purpose, and with an
object now seemingly abandoned or forgotten, I began to feel scruples as
to my having any claim to. Like an actor whose engagement had been for
one part, I did not think myself warranted in carrying away the wardrobe
of my character; besides, who should tell how the captain might resent
such conduct on my side? I might be treated as a thief,--I, Con Cregan,
who had registered a solemn vow in my own heart to be a "gentleman"!
Such an indignity should not be entertained, even in thought. Yet was it
very hard for one in possession of such an admirable wardrobe to want
a dinner; for one so luxuriously apparelled on the outside, to be so
lamentably unprovided within. From the solution of this knotty question
I was most fortunately preserved by the arrival of a corporal of
the--th, who came with an order from Captain Pike that I should at once
repair to his quarters in the Upper Town.

Not being perhaps in his captain's confidence, nor having any very clear
notion of my precise station in life,--for I was dressed in an old cloak
and a foraging-cap,--the corporal delivered his message to me with a
military salute, and a certain air of deference very grateful to my
feelings.

"Have you a boat alongside, Corporal?" said I, as I lounged listlessly
on the binnacle.

"Yes, sir; a pair of oars,--will that do?"

"Yes, that will do," replied I, negligently. "See my traps safe on
board, and tell me when all's ready."

The corporal saluted once more, and went to give the necessary
di