bundle, telling him
that I had plenty more on board, reserving one for myself, that I might
smoke it with him. He then requested me to sit down, and the old woman
brought some sour wine, which I declared was very good, although it made
me quite ill afterwards. He inquired of me whether I was a good
Christian. I replied that I was. I knew that he meant a Catholic, for
they call us heretics, Mr Simple. The daughter then came in without
her veil, and she was perfection: but I did not look at her, or pay her
any attention after the first salutation, I was so afraid of making the
old gentleman suspicious. He then asked what I was--what sort of
officer--was I captain? I replied that I was not. Was I 'tenente?
which means lieutenant; I answered that I was not, again, but with an
air of contempt, as if I was something better. What was I then? I did
not know the Spanish for boatswain, and, to tell the truth, I was
ashamed of my condition. I knew that there was an officer in Spain
called corregidor, which means a corrector in English, or one who
punishes. Now I thought that quite near enough for my purpose, and I
replied that I was the corregidor. Now, Mr Simple, a corregidor in
Spain is a person of rank and consequence, so they imagined that I must
be the same, and they appeared to be pleased. The young lady then
inquired if I was of good family--whether I was a gentleman or not. I
replied that I hoped so. I remained with them for half-an-hour more,
when my cigar was finished; I then rose, and thanking the old gentleman
for his civility, begged that I might be allowed to bring him a few more
cigars, and took my leave. The daughter opened the street-door, and I
could not refrain from taking her hand and kissing it--"

"Where's Mr Chucks? call the boatswain there forward," hallooed out the
lieutenant.

"Here I am, sir," replied Mr Chucks, hastening aft, and leaving me and
his story.

"The captain of the maintop reports the breast backstay much chafed in
the serving. Go up and examine it," said the first lieutenant.

"Yes, sir," replied the boatswain, who immediately went up the rigging.

"And, Mr Simple, attend to the men scraping the spots off the
quarterdeck."

"Yes, sir," replied I; and thus our conversation was broken up. The
weather changed that night, and we had a succession of rain and baffling
winds for six or seven days, during which I had no opportunity of
hearing the remainder of the boatswain