en were walking in the dark along the
turnpike road towards Overcombe, one of them with a bag in his hand.

'Now,' said the taller of the two, the squareness of whose shoulders
signified that he wore epaulettes, 'now you must do the best you can for
yourself, Bob. I have done all I can; but th'hast thy work cut out, I
can tell thee.'

'I wouldn't have run such a risk for the world,' said the other, in a
tone of ingenuous contrition. 'But thou'st see, Jack, I didn't think
there was any danger, knowing you was taking care of her, and keeping my
place warm for me. I didn't hurry myself, that's true; but, thinks I, if
I get this promotion I am promised I shall naturally have leave, and then
I'll go and see 'em all. Gad, I shouldn't have been here now but for
your letter!'

'You little think what risks you've run,' said his brother. 'However,
try to make up for lost time.'

'All right. And whatever you do, Jack, don't say a word about this other
girl. Hang the girl!--I was a great fool, I know; still, it is over now,
and I am come to my senses. I suppose Anne never caught a capful of wind
from that quarter?'

'She knows all about it,' said John seriously.

'Knows? By George, then, I'm ruined!' said Bob, standing stock-still in
the road as if he meant to remain there all night.

'That's what I meant by saying it would be a hard battle for 'ee,'
returned John, with the same quietness as before.

Bob sighed and moved on. 'I don't deserve that woman!' he cried
passionately, thumping his three upper ribs with his fist.

'I've thought as much myself,' observed John, with a dryness which was
almost bitter. 'But it depends on how thou'st behave in future.'

'John,' said Bob, taking his brother's hand, 'I'll be a new man. I
solemnly swear by that eternal milestone staring at me there that I'll
never look at another woman with the thought of marrying her whilst that
darling is free--no, not if she be a mermaiden of light! It's a lucky
thing that I'm slipped in on the quarterdeck! it may help me with
her--hey?'

'It may with her mother; I don't think it will make much difference with
Anne. Still, it is a good thing; and I hope that some day you'll command
a big ship.'

Bob shook his head. 'Officers are scarce; but I'm afraid my luck won't
carry me so far as that.'

'Did she ever tell you that she mentioned your name to the King?'

The seaman stood still again. 'Never!' he said. 'How did such a thing
a