I've
another and more selfish one in this Chilian ship. So has Mr
Cadwallader. We both want you to be on your best behaviour during the
trip you're to take in her. On board will be two lady passengers, as
far as Panama; for the ship is bound thither, and for ports beyond--I
believe as far as Valparaiso. But the ladies are to land at Panama;
and, so long as they're with you, you must do everything in your power
to make things agreeable for them. If they should ever be in any
danger--from storm, shipwreck, or otherwise--you'll stand by them?"

"Yes, Harry," adds Cadwallader, "you'll do that, won't you?"

"Lor', your honours!" exclaims the sailor, showing surprise. "Sure ye
needn't put sich a questin to me--a British man-o'-war's man? I'd do
that much, anyhow, out o' sheer starn sense o' duty. But when it comes
to takin' care o' two ladies--to say nothin' about theer bein' so young,
and so beautiful--"

"Avast, Harry! How do you know they are either one or the other?" asks
Crozier, surprised; Cadwallader repeating the question.

"Lor' love ye, masters! Do ye think a common sailor han't got eyes in
his head, for anythin' but ropes an' tar? You forget I war o' the
boat's crew as rowed two sweet creeturs on board the _Crusader_, the
night o' the grand dancin'; and arterward took the same ashore, along
wi' two young gen'lemen, as went to see 'em home. Sure, sirs, actin'
cox on that occasion, I couldn't help hearin' some o' the speeches as
passed in the starn-sheets--tho' they wur spoken in the ears of the
senoritas, soft as the breeze that fanned their fair cheeks, an' brought
the colour out on 'em red as Ribston pippins."

"Avast again, you rascal! So you've been eavesdropping, have you? I
quite forgot you understood Spanish."

"Only a trifle, Master Ed'ard."

"Too much for that occasion."

"Ah! well, your honour, it may stand me in good stead now--aboard the
ship you speak o'."

"Well, Harry, I'm not going to scold you, seeing that you couldn't help
hearing what you did. And now, I may as well tell you that the young
ladies you saw that night in the boat _are_ the same who are to be the
passengers in the Chilian ship. You'll take good care of them, I know."

"That you may depend on, sir. Any one as touches hair o' their heads,
to do 'em an injury, 'll have to tear the whole o' his off the head o'
Harry Blew. I'll see 'em safe to Panama, or never show myself there. I
promise that; an' I think bo