order, after its flattening in more senses than one, by
putting that of his antagonist out of joint a little.

"Well, now we've had our cheer, and have all been flattering ourselves
with the thoughts of home, I'm ready to take any bet Duff likes to make
that we shall not be in England this day six weeks, or two months, if he
likes, for I believe, after all, it's a hum of his; and I propose we cob
him as a punishment for deceiving his Majesty's liege subjects and
gallant officers as he has done."

"I can prove, though, that I speak the truth," exclaimed Jemmy, who saw
the day turning against him. "Any one of you go and ask Mr Saltwell.
He heard it from the captain, I tell you."

"No, no," put in Togle. "Punishment first and proof afterwards. That's
the way the Turks manage, and they are sensible people. You can take
the cobbing first, and then go and ask Mr Saltwell, or the skipper
himself, if you like."

"You go and be damned, Togle," retorted Duff. "You know well enough
that I'm speaking the truth; and mind, old chap, I shall keep you to
your bet,--two months, you said."

"I made no bet," answered Togle. "You offered to bet yourself, but you
didn't propose what it should be,--a dinner at the Star, or--"

Just then a personage appeared at the door of the berth, who was
immediately appealed to.

"Oh! come in here, Muhajiar; you'll know all about it," cried Jack Raby.
"Take a glass. We haven't seen you for some time. Have you heard
whether we are going home?"

"So the purser's steward told me, gentlemen, and it is generally
believed throughout the ship," returned the individual addressed, who
entered with such a bow as he could contrive to find room to make, and
took his seat at the table, where with much gusto he drank off the
porter offered to him. He was a stout, tallish man, with a good
expression of countenance, and most of those who remember Malta in those
and even later days, will recollect him as one of the most respectable
tailors in the place. He had been, I believe, in the marines; but
getting his discharge, set up for himself as a builder of garments, and
soon managed to establish a very thriving business. He was always on
the watch, and the moment a ship dropped her anchor he would come on
board to take orders. He knew everybody and everything that was going
forward, and was, consequently, a great authority.

"Huzza! it is true, for Paolo Muhajiar has heard it," exclaimed Togle,
lookin