opinion of your convivial qualities, your
professional skill, and the great _depth_ of your understanding. Deep--
very deep! You must not class me among the mean herd of legacy-hunters;
but I would willingly have some token by which to remember so excellent
a man, and an officer so able, and so _unshrinking_ in the performance
of his duties."

"There is my tobacco-box," said the doctor with feeble malice; "for
though chewing the weed cannot cure, it can conceal a bad breath."

The captain winced. It was a thrust with a double-edged sword. He was
what we now call, an exquisite, in person, and one to whom the idea of
chewing tobacco was abhorrent, whilst he was actually and distressingly
troubled with the infirmity hinted at. For a moment, the suavity of his
manner was destroyed, and he forgot the respect due to the dying.

"Damn the tobacco box--and damn that--never mind--no, no, doctor, you
had better order the box to be buried with you, for nobody _could_ use
it after you; but if I might presume so far--might use the very great
liberty to make a selection, I would request, entreat, nay, implore you
to leave me the whole _suit of clothes_ in which you are now standing;
and if you would be so considerate, so kind, so generous, by God I'll
have them stuffed and preserved as a curiosity."

"Captain Reud, you are too good. Mr Staples," turning helplessly to
his assistant, "get me immediately an effervescing draught. Excuse my
sitting--I am very faint--you are so kind--you quite _overcome_ me."

"No, not yet," said the captain in a dry tone, but full of meaning. "I
may perhaps by-and-by, when you know more of me; but now--O no!
However, I'll do my best to make you grateful. And I'm sorry to
acquaint you, that the admiral has put off the survey till twelve
o'clock to-morrow, when I trust that you will be as well _prepared_ as
you are now. Don't be dejected, doctor, you have the consolation of
knowing, that if you die in the meantime, all the annoyance of the
examination will be saved you. In the interim, don't forget the old
clothes--the invaliding suit. My clerk shall step down with you into
the cabin, and tack a memorandum on, by way of codicil, to your will:
don't omit those high-quartered, square-toed shoes, with the brass
buckles."

"If you would promise to wear them out yourself."

"No, no; but I promise to put them on when I am going to invalid; or to
lend them to Mr Farmer, or any other friend, on a