goes, I takes my
little fortin', and them as takes care of me will get the benefit of
it, d'ye see."

He swept up the money into his bag again, and had just restored it to
his bosom when there came a sound outside the door, and who should
walk in but Colonel Clive!

I strove to raise myself in the bed as he entered, but this he at once
prevented.

"Lie still, youngster!" he exclaimed, walking up to the bedside,
followed by Mr. Scrafton. "Why, how's this; they never told me you
were ill till I was on the point of starting for Chander Nugger, when
I had no time to come and see you? But you are on the high road to
recovery by this time, surely?"

"Thank you, sir, I am much improved," I managed to stammer out,
overwhelmed by this condescension on the part of so great a man. "And
are the French beaten?" I asked anxiously, for I had not heard the
news.

The Colonel turned to Mr. Scrafton and laughed.

"There's my little purser all over!" he exclaimed, with evident
goodwill. "The French are beaten, and driven out of Bengal, I trust
for ever, and their factories are become ours. And since you were
unable to be present at the action, and to share in the spoil, I have
remembered my promise to you, and brought you a sword instead."

He took the weapon from the hands of Mr. Scrafton, who was carrying
it, and laid it on the bed beside me. At the same time Mr. Scrafton
handed me a paper, duly signed, containing my commission as an ensign
in the service of the East India Company.

I could only murmur out my gratitude for these marks of consideration;
while Mr. Clive went on to say--

"And now you must make haste and get about again, for as soon as you
are able to travel I have an important mission for you to discharge."

"And what is that, sir?" I asked, not very heartily.

The Colonel noticed my diffidence, and gave me a searching look.

"I ought to have said it is a very dangerous mission," he observed.

I felt my cheeks turn red.

"Then sir, I think I am well enough to undertake it," I replied, with
some little temper. And I sat up in the bed.

Colonel Clive burst out laughing, and seizing me by the shoulders
thrust me down again.

"There, that is right; there is not so much hurry about it as to drag
you out of bed just yet. But as soon as you are well enough I mean you
to go to Moorshedabad."

I uttered a cry of surprise.

"I have some messages to send to Mr. Watts, who is acting there on our
behalf," Mr.