with a grave nod
of the head. "I 'ope he's come down 'andsome."

"Tommy," said Bax, with a disconcerted look, "I've forgot 'em
altogether!"

"Forgot 'em? Bax!"

"It's a fact," said Bax, with much humility, "but the truth is, that we
got to loggerheads, an' of course you know it was out of the question to
talk on such a subject when we were in that state."

"In course it was," said Tommy. "But it's a pity."

The fact was that Bax had intended to make an appeal to Mr Denham in
behalf of the widows and children of the poor men who had been drowned
on the night when the "Nancy" was wrecked; but the unexpected turn which
the conversation took had driven that subject utterly out of his mind.

"Well, Tommy, it can't be helped now; and, after all, I don't think the
widows will come by any loss by my forgetfulness, for certain am I that
Denham would as soon supply a best-bower anchor to the `Trident' as give
a sovereign to these poor people."

Bax and his young friend here relapsed into a state of silent fumigation
from which they were aroused by the entrance of dinner. This meal
consisted of beef-steaks and porter. But it is due to Bax to say that
he advised his companion to confine his potations to water, which his
companion willingly agreed to, as he would have done had Bax advised him
to drink butter-milk, or cider, or to go without drink altogether.

They were about done with dinner when a weak small voice in the passage
attracted their attention.

"Is there one of the name of Bax 'ere," said the meek voice.

"Here I am," shouted Bax, "come in; what d'ye want with me?"

Peekins entered in a state of great agitation.

"Oh! sir, please sir,--I'll never do it again; but I couldn't help it
indeed, indeed--I was dyin', I was. It's a great sin I knows, but--"

Here Peekins burst into tears, and sat down on the seat opposite.

"Wot a green 'un!" muttered Tommy, as he gazed at the tiger in blue
through a volume of tobacco smoke.

"What's the matter, boy?" inquired Bax, in some surprise. "Anything
wrong at Redwharf Lane?"

"Ye-es--that's to say, not exactly, only I've run'd away."

"You han't run far, then," said Bax, smiling. "How long is't since you
ran away?"

"Just ten minutes."

Tommy burst into a laugh at this, and Peekins, feeling somewhat
relieved, smiled idiotically through his tears.

"Well now, my lad," said Bax, leaning forward in a confidential way
which quite won the affection of the ti