y been but told of them.
Too late now; they are gone out of sight, out of hail, and whether he
cannot tell or guess; and to attempt searching for them in such crowded
streets would be only a waste of time.

While thus ruefully reflecting, he is confronted by the bar-keeper,
whose usually grave countenance is now beset with smiles. The fellow
has got it into his head that his sailor-guest is no longer impecunious.
The navy gentlemen just gone have no doubt been to engage him for their
ship, and perhaps made him an advance of wages.

"Well, my salt," says he, in a tone of jocular familiarity, "I guess
you've got the shiners now, an' kin settle up your score?"

"No, indeed, sir," answers Harry, more than ever taken aback; "I'm sorry
to say I ha'n't."

"You hain't! Then what hev them gold-buttoned fellers been palaverin'
ye about?"

"Not about money, master. Them's two o' the officers belongin' to my
old ship--the British frigate _Crusader_. An' fine young fellows they
be too."

"Much good their finikin fineness seems to hev done you! So they hain't
gin you nuthin' better than their talk, hev they? Nuthin' besides?"

"Nothing besides," rejoins Blew, restraining his temper, a little
touched by the bar-keeper's inquisitiveness, as also his impertinent
manner.

"Nuthin' but fine words, eh? Well, thar's plenty o' them 'bout hyar,
but they won't butter no parsnips; and let me tell you, my sailor-man,
they won't pay your board bill."

"I know that," returns the other, still keeping his temper. "But I hope
to have money soon."

"Oh! that's been your story for the last two days; but it won't
bamboozle me any longer. You get no more credit here."

"Can't I have supper, and bed for another night?"

"No; that you can't--not so much as a shake-down."

"I'll pay for them first thing in the mornin'."

"You'll pay for 'em this night--now, if you calc'late to get 'em. An'
if you've no cash, tain't any use talkin'. What d'ye think we keep a
tavern for? 'Twould soon be to let--bar, beds, and all--if we'd only
such customers as you. So, the sooner you slope, the better the
landlord 'll like it. He's jest gin me orders to tell ye to clar out."

"It's gallows hard, master," says Harry, heaving a sigh; "the more so,
as I've got the promise o' a good berth 'board a ship that's down in the
harbour. The gentlemen you seed have just been to tell me about it."

"Then why didn't they give you the money to clar your k