ent of Tom Thornton still
snored unconscious of my proceedings.

I took the precaution to place the Bunyard letter in my money-belt; the
others, being of minor importance, I put in my valise again. I looked at
the miserable being who lay groaning and uneasy in the stupor of
intoxication. The state-room was not fit for the occupancy of a decent
person. The fumes of the whiskey were sickening to me, and I could no
longer stay there. Taking my valise in my hand, I left it, resolved not
to be the room-mate of such a filthy swine.

I deposited my valise in a corner in the passageway, and went into the
saloon. Mr. Solomons was there, and expressed his surprise at seeing me.
I freely told him what had transpired in the state-room.

"And you recovered your papers--did you?" said he.

"I did; I was satisfied the fellow had been sent by Tom Thornton, to
prevent me from finding my mother."

"No doubt of it, my lad. You must keep away from him now."

"That I shall certainly do, for I would rather sleep in a hog-pen than
in such a place as that state-room."

"You shall not sleep there," replied my friend, decidedly; "come with
me."

I followed him below, and he conducted me to his own room, and told me
to occupy his berth.

"But what will you do?" I asked.

"I will take your berth, and the fellow shall not turn the room into a
pigsty."

I objected to this arrangement, and offered to sleep on a sofa in the
saloon; but Mr. Solomons persisted, assuring me he should take good care
of himself, and would not submit to any annoyance from his room-mate. As
soon as this point was settled, I retired, and slept soundly till the
breakfast gong roused me from my tired slumbers. When I went to the
saloon, E. Dunkswell was in his place at the table; but Mr. Solomons had
taken the place which I occupied the day before, so as to bring himself
between the obnoxious individual and myself.

E. Dunkswell did not appear to have a ravenous appetite. He looked
sheepish and disconcerted; and I could not tell whether it was on
account of his spree, because he had discovered the loss of the papers,
or because he found in the morning that he had a new room-mate. My
friend was cheerful and happy, and so was I. We talked and laughed as
though E. Dunkswell had been tipsy, or out of existence. We took no
notice of him, either by word or look.

It was a beautiful day, and we adjourned to the hurricane deck to enjoy
the cool air and the prospect of