re bleu_!'
walked away, believing all I said was true; but a'n't that a sail we
have opened with the point, Mr Simple?"

It was so, and I reported it to O'Brien, who came up, and gave chase.
In half-an-hour we were alongside of her, when she hoisted American
colours, and proved to be a brigantine laden up to her gunwale, which
was not above a foot out of the water. Her cargo consisted of what the
Americans called _notions_; that is, in English, an assorted cargo.
Halfway up her masts, down to the deck, were hung up baskets containing
apples, potatoes, onions, and nuts of various kinds. Her deck was
crowded with cattle, sheep, pigs, and donkeys. Below was full of
shingle lumber, and a variety of different articles too numerous to
mention. I boarded her, and asked the master whither he was bound.

"Why," replied he, "I'm bound for a market--nowise particular; and I
guess you won't stop me."

"Not if all's right," replied I; "but I must look at your log."

"Well, I've a notion there's no great objection to that," replied he;
and he brought it up on deck.

I had no great time to examine it, but I could not help being amused at
the little I did read, such as--"Horse latitudes--water very short--
killed white-faced bullock--caught a dolphin, and ate him for dinner--
broached molasses cask, Number 1, letter A. Fine night--saw little
round things floating on the water--took up a bucket full--guessed they
were pearls--judge I guessed wrong, only little Portuguese men-of-war--
threw them overboard again--heard a scream, guessed it was a mermaid--
looked out, saw nothing. Witnessed a very strange rippling a-head--
calculated it might be the sea-serpent--stood on to see him plain, and
nearly ran on Barbuda. Hauled off again--met a Britisher--treated
_politely_."

Having overhauled his log, I then begged to overhaul his men, to
ascertain if there were any Englishmen among his crew. This was not
pleasing, and he grumbled very much; but they were ordered aft. One man
I was satisfied was an Englishman, and told him so; but the man, as well
as the master, persisted to the contrary. Nevertheless I resolved to
take him on board for O'Brien to decide, and ordered him into the boat.

"Well, if you will use force, I can't help it: my decks a'n't clear, as
you see, or else--I tell you what, Mr Lieutenant, your vessel there
will be another Hermione, I've a notion, if you presses true-blooded
Yankees; and what's more, the Stat