.
Have you considered the danger of Talland Cove and the
accessibility of your town from that quarter? And would you and
your corps entertain the idea of a descent of my corps upon
Talland one of these nights as a friendly test?--Believe me,
yours truly,"
"Sol Hymen (_Major_)."

"To Captain Aeneas Pond, Commanding the East and West Looe
Volunteer Artillery."

To this Captain Pond made answer:

"Dear Hymen,--The military situation here is practically
unchanged. We have had some bronchial trouble among the older
members of the corps in consequence of the severe east winds
which prevailed up to last week; but on the whole we have
weathered the winter beyond expectation. A slight outbreak of
whooping-cough towards the end of February was confined to the
juveniles of the town, and left us unaffected.

"Seeing that I make a practice of walking over to Talland to
bathe at least twice a week during the summer months, I ought to
be acquainted with the dangers of the Cove, as well as its
accessibility. The temperature of the water is of
extraordinarily low range, and will compare in the mean (I am
told) with the Bay of Naples. My informant was speaking of
ordinary years. Vesuvius in eruption would no doubt send the
figures up.

"By all means march your men over to Talland; and if the weather
be tolerable we will await you there and have a dinner ready at
the Sloop. Our Assurance Fund has a surplus this year, which,
in my opinion, would be well expended in entertaining our
brothers-in-arms. But do not make the hour too late, or I shall
have trouble with the Doctor. What do you say to 3.30 p.m., any
day after this week?--Yours truly,
Aen. Pond.

"To the Worshipful the Mayor of Troy (Major S. Hymen),
Commanding the Troy Volunteer Artillery."

The Major replied:

"Dear Pond,--In speaking of the enemy, I referred to the Corsican
and his minions rather than to the whooping-cough or any similar
epidemic. It struck me that the former (being flat-bottomed)
might with great ease effect a landing in Talland Cove and fall
on your flank in the small hours of the morning, creating a
situation with which, single-handed, you might find it difficult
to cope. My sugges