rch as far as Behar. Accordingly a joint expedition
was made, and Chander Nugger taken after a brilliant action, in which,
as Colonel Clive fully acknowledged, the Admiral signalised himself
by conspicuous courage and seamanship.

All this time I lay ill in Calcutta of a low fever, which I had
contracted in the hospital while attending on old Muzzy. It was now
his turn to nurse me, which he did most assiduously, being now
recovered, and able to get about well enough by means of a wooden leg.

As I lay there sick day after day I began once more to see things in a
truer light. I longed most painfully to be at home among the scenes
and friends of my youth, and I resolved, once I had risen from my sick
bed, to let no motives of ambition or interest detain me any further
in Indostan.

I communicated these sensible resolutions to old Muzzy, who thoroughly
approved of them.

"And I tell you what, Athelstane, lad, we'll make our passage home in
company," he said. "I've got a tidy bit o' prize-money left somewhere,
enough to take me back to England, and mayhap a bit over, to keep me
out of the workhouse when I gets there."

He put his hands into his hairy bosom and drew out a small canvas bag,
which he shook out upon the coverlid of the bed. The contents made a
small heap of gold and silver, amounting, as near as I could judge, to
about L100 or L150 in English money, though the coins were of all
countries--rupees, French crowns, moidores, and many others.

The old boatswain put his head on one side, casting looks of
affectionate pride on his treasure.

"There, my lad, that's my little fortin', enough to pay my freight
through to Davy Jones's locker, I daresay. And if there's any of it
left over, by Gosh! you shall have it, for I've neither parent nor
friend in the world, nor I don't so much as know the place where I was
born. And drown me if I don't love you, my young matey!"

I was so weak at the time that these hearty expressions of the old
fellow fairly melted me, though I could scarce refrain from smiling at
the thoughts of the legacy which I was like to inherit.

"You shall come with me and welcome," I told him. "We will start
together as soon as ever I can get off this bed; and when we get to
England I will bring you to my own home, and ask my parents to provide
you with a shelter for my sake."

"That's right enough," he answered, "and very kind of you. But, mind,
old Muzzy ain't looking for no charity. Where I