"I should rather think," said Flora, "it must have been--'Like the deaf
adder that stoppeth her ears, and refuseth to hear the voice of the
charmer, let him charm never so wisely.'"

"I don't remember what it was," replied Sam; "but I have been severely
punished for my idleness and folly."

"I think that you are all suffering for my folly just now," said Boreas,
"when I consented to take that insolent reptile, Lootie, on board. I
have no doubt that all our misfortunes are owing to him."

"Don't dignify him into a second Jonah, Captain."

"Ah, how I should like to pitch the little wretch overboard! But hang me
if there's a shark or a whale in the great deep that would condescend to
swallow such a tough, ill-favoured, cross-grained, pitiful rascal!"

Shortly after this colloquy in the cabin, the parties went on deck. Mr.
Lootie was, as usual, diverting himself with the steerage passengers. As
the Captain passed the group of gamblers, the men left off their
amusement, and scowled upon him, as if they considered him in the light
of a common enemy; while Lootie, quitting the game, strutted up to him
with an air of insolent defiance.

"What's the meaning of your conduct to me, Captain Williams, this
morning? Are you going to starve me, as you are starving the rest of the
people? Why was not my tea sent to me as usual?"

"Simply because there is none; and you must go without, like your
neighbours," said Boreas, making a strong effort to control his passion
before the people.

"You are a liar and a cheat!" yelled the little brown man. "I have paid
for these things, and I will have them!"

"Shut up directly," said Boreas, walking straight up to him, "or I will
have you put in irons as a runaway thief, and deliver you over to the
proper authorities the moment we reach Quebec. You may thank your stars
that you are here, and not in gaol."

The little man snarled, and drew back, without daring to make a reply.
The emigrants exchanged glances. Some laughed, others shrugged their
shoulders, while Stephen Corrie said, aloud--

"I told you, boys, while he was making mischief between you and the
Captain, that he was nobody. Now I hope you'll believe me."

"He's a mean chap," muttered another; "he has cheated me out of all my
money."

"And me," "and me," chimed in several voices. "If the Captain gave him
his deserts, he would pitch him overboard."

"That's what we'll do, my hearties, and send him to look after my
tea-pot,