cend the way they
had come; he was a man of about forty years old, with a countenance
slightly weather-beaten, and hands which showed that they were no
strangers to ropes and tar, and there was an undeniable roll in his
gait, which betrayed the seaman, though his costume was that of a
denizen of the shore; he wore a long, swallow-tailed, black coat, a
round beaver hat, and a coloured waistcoat; but the wide duck trousers,
and low shoes were those of a thorough salt. Jack Raby looked at him
earnestly, and then held out his hand, which was shaken warmly by the
other.

"What, Bowse, as I live," he exclaimed; "what has brought you to Malta,
old fellow? I thought you were snugly housed at home with Mrs Bowse,
and had given up the sea altogether."

"Well, sir, so did I think too, and for a time I was comfortable enough;
but at last I began to wish to have a look at the blue water again; and
I grew sick, and then sicker, till I felt that nothing but a sniff of
the salt air would do me good. You know, sir, when I was bo'sun of the
jolly little _Dart_, your first ship, I took to learning navigation, and
was no bad hand at it. Ah! I loved that craft, and nothing but having
that windfall of a fortune would have made me leave her. Well, as I was
saying, when I wished to go to sea again, I turned in my mind that I
could not do better with my money than take a share of a merchantman,
and go master of her. No sooner said than done. Up I went to London,
where I knew a respectable shipowner. He was glad enough to favour my
wishes, for he knew he could trust me; and I soon became part owner and
master of the _Zodiac_, a fine brig, of a hundred and sixty tons. I
have made two voyages in her, and am now bound to the eastward to
Cephalonia and Zante. I sail to-morrow or next day, according to
circumstances. If you'll step up here, sir, I think you'll see her, for
we've hauled out ready for a start, as soon as my passengers come on
board."

As the master of the merchantman spoke, he advanced to a part of the
ramparts over which they could look down upon the great harbour, where,
some way below the custom-house, was seen a merchant brig, laden and
ready for sea.

"She's as fine a sea boat as ever floated, I can assure you, sir. It's
a pleasure to be her master," he continued, as he pointed with pride to
her. Every good seaman is fond of his vessel, and overlooks her faults,
whatever they may be, as a good husband does those