"Ah! and swindled--only in a small way, of course?"

"The temptations were great."

"Where will this fellow stop?" thought I; "let us see, however, how far
he will go;" and then, giving utterance to my thoughts, I continued,
"The step between swindling and forgery is but very short," and I
paused--for even I had not the confidence to ask him, "Are you a
forger?"

"Very," was the short, dry answer. I was astonished. Perhaps he will
confess to the commission of murder.

"Oh! as you were just saying to yourself, we are the mere passive tools
of fate--we are drawn on, in spite of ourselves. If a man comes in our
way, why, you know, in self-defence--hey?"

"What do you mean, sir?"

"A little prick under the ribs in a quiet way. The wanderings and
jerkings of the angry hand will happen. You understand me?"

"Too well, I am afraid, sir. I have never yet shed man's blood--I never
will. Perhaps, sir, you would not depend upon my virtue for this--you
may upon my cowardice. I tremble--I sicken at the sight of blood. I
have endeavoured to win your confidence by candour--I have not
succeeded. May I be permitted to wish you a good day?"

"Stop, Daunton; this is a singular encounter, and a still more singular
conference. As an old schoolfellow, you ask me to give you my
protection. The protection of a reefer is, in itself, something
laughable; and then, as an inducement, you confess to me that you are a
villain, only in guilt just short of murder. Perhaps, by this bravado
sort of confession, you have endeavoured to give me a worse impression
of your character than it really deserves, that you might give me the
better opinion of your sincerity. Is it not so?"

"In a great measure, it is."

"I thought so. Now let me tell you, Daunton, that that very
circumstance makes me afraid of you. But, still, I will not cast aside
the appeal of an old schoolfellow. What can I do for you?"

"Give me the protection afforded me by a man-of-war, by taking me as
your servant."

"Utterly impossible! I can press you directly, or give the hint to any
of the many men-of-war here to do so. But the rules of the service do
not permit a midshipman to have a separate servant. Do you wish to
enter?"

"Only on board of your ship, and with the privilege of waiting upon you,
and being constantly near your person."

"Thank you; but what prevents my impressing you, even as you stand
there?"

"These very ample protections." And