subject to get
along with. There were signs of cogniac about his face too, but he had
more rank, more at stake, and brighter hopes than the master's-mate. Then
he was evidently better practised in the ways of the world than his
companion, and had constantly a sort of uneasy vigilance about his eye and
manner that gave me no little concern.

It was my wish to strike a blow, if possible, that very night, every
minute carrying us fast towards the chops of the channel, where the
English had so many cruisers in general, as to render ultimate escape next
to impossible, should we even be so lucky as to regain command of our own
ship. I was afraid, moreover, Sennit might take it into his head to have
all hands all night, under the pretext of drawing in with the land. Should
he actually adopt this course, our case was nearly hopeless.

"Your mate seems to love the cupboard, Mr. Wallingford," Sennit remarked
to me, in a good-natured manner, with an evident wish to establish still
more amicable relations between us than had yet existed; "he has been in
and about that galley these ten minutes, fidgeting with his tin-pot, like
a raw hand who misses his mother's tea!"

Sennit laughed at his own humour, and I could hardly answer with a smile,
for I knew my mate had adopted this experiment to open communications
with the cook.

"Mr. Marble is famous for his love of slops," I answered, evasively.

"Well, he does not _look_ it. I have seldom seen a more thorough-looking
sea-dog than your mate, Captain Wallingford,"--this was the first time
Sennit had dignified me with this title,--"and I took a fancy to him on
that account, as soon as I saw him. You will do me the favour to sup with
us in the cabin, I hope, for I see signs at the galley that it will soon
be ready?"

"I shall expect to join your mess, sir, now explanations have passed
between us. I suppose _my_ mate is to be one of my party, as well
as yours?"

"Certainly. I shall ask the favour of you to let Mr. Marble relieve
Diggens, for half an hour or so, while the poor fellow gets a bite. We'll
do as much for you another time."

This was said in a dry, laughing, sort of a way, which showed that Mr.
Sennit was fully aware he was making a request a little out of rule, to
ask a man to aid in carrying his own ship into port, as a prize; but I
took it, as it was meant, for a rough joke that had convenience at
the bottom.

It was not long ere Neb came to announce that supper w