lve
and fourteen years of age, whom he recognized as the sons of Commodore
Burghe, by having seen them often at church in the commodore's pew.

"Oh, I say, Ben, here's a hamper chock full of oranges and figs and nuts
and raisins and things! let's get at them," said the elder boy, who had
climbed upon one wheel and was looking into the carriage.

"Oh, no, Alf! don't meddle with them! Mr. Middleton would be mad,"
replied the younger.

"Who cares if he is? Who's afraid? Not I!" exclaimed Alf, tearing off
the top of the hamper and helping himself.

All this passed in the instant that Ishmael was rising up.

"You must not touch those things, young gentlemen! You must not, indeed!
Put those figs back again, Master Alfred," he said.

"Who the blazes are you, pray?" inquired Master Alfred contemptously, as
he coolly proceeded to fill his pockets.

"I am Ishmael Worth, and I am set here to watch this horse and carriage,
and I mean to do it! Put those figs back again, Master Alfred."

"Oh! you are Ishmael Worth, are you? The wearer woman's boy and Jem
Morris's 'prentice! Happy to know you, sir!" said the lad sarcastically,
as he deliberately spread his handkerchief on the ground and began to
fill it with English walnuts.

"Return those things to the hamper, Master Alfred, while times are
good," said Ishmael slowly and distinctly.

"Oh, I say, Ben, isn't he a nice one to make acquaintance with? Let's
ask him to dinner!" jeered the boy, helping himself to more walnuts.

"You had better return those things before worse comes of it," said
Ishmael, slowly pulling off his little jacket and carefully folding it
up and laying it on the ground.

"I say, Ben! Jem Morris's apprentice is going to fight! Ar'n't you
scared?" sneered Master Alfred, tying up his handkerchief full of nuts.

"Will you return those things or not?" exclaimed Ishmael, unbuttoning
his little shirt collar and rolling up his sleeves.

"Will you tell me who was your father?" mocked Master Alfred.

That question was answered by a blow dashed full in the mouth of the
questioner, followed instantly by another blow into his right eye and a
third into his left. Then Ishmael seized him by the collar and, twisting
it, choked and shook him until he dropped his plunder. But it was only
the suddenness of the assault that had given Ishmael a moment's
advantage. The contest was too unequal. As soon as Master Alfred had
dropped his plunder he seized his assailant. Be