l be bad for him, I fear."

"Leave us, mother, dear," said Guy, as they entered; "I wish to be alone
with Tommy, only for ten minutes--not longer."

Mrs Foster tried to remonstrate, but an impatient gesture from her son
induced her to quit the room.

"You can write, Tommy?"

"Yes, sir. I--I hope you ain't much hurt, sir?"

"Oh no!--a mere scratch. It's only the loss of blood that weakens me.
I'll be all right in a few days. Now, sit down at that table and take a
pen. Are you ready?"

Tommy said that he was, and Guy Foster dictated the following note to
Mr Denham, of the house of Denham, Crumps, and Company:--

"Deal.

"Dear Uncle,--I'm sorry to have to inform you that the `Nancy' has
become a total wreck on the Goodwin Sands. The cargo has been entirely
lost--also two of the hands.

"I am at present disabled, from the effects of a blow on the head
received during the storm. No doubt Bax will be up immediately to give
you particulars.

"The cause of the loss of your schooner was, in _my_ opinion,
_unseaworthiness of vessel and stores_.

"Your affectionate nephew, GUY FOSTER."

"Hallo!" thought Tommy, "that's a stinger!"

"There," said Guy, as he attached his signature, "fold and address that,
and be off with it as fast as you can to the post."

Tommy vanished in an instant, and was quickly at the post-office, which
stood, at that time, near the centre of the town. He dropped the letter
in, and having thus fulfilled his mission, relapsed into that easy
swagger or roll that seems to be the natural and characteristic gait of
Jack when ashore. He had not proceeded far when the sound of voices in
dispute attracted his ear. The gale was still at its height, and the
noise occasioned by its whistling among the chimneys and whirling round
street corners was so great that the words uttered by the speakers were
not distinguishable. Still there was some peculiarity in the tone which
irresistibly attracted the boy. Perhaps Tommy was unusually curious
that night; perhaps he was smitten, like Haroun Alraschid, with a desire
for adventure; but whatever was the truth in regard to this, it is
certain that, instead of passing on, as most people would naturally have
done, Tommy approached the place whence the sounds proceeded with
cautious steps--keeping as much in the shade of the houses as possible,
although owing to the darkness of the night, this latter precaution was
unnecessary.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

TH