pharmacy, is this?" said the surgeon, detaching my
belt of earth; "but here is the ball, however,--it has more than broken
the skin; and there has been a good deal of blood extravasated, but it
has been absorbed by the mould in this handkerchief. By whatever means
this singular bandage was placed where I found it, you may depend upon
it, young gentleman, that it has saved your life."

"I presume, Mr Rattlin, that you are a Catholic?" said the magistrate,
"and that you have been a very naughty boy: if so, the penance that your
confessor has enjoined you has been miraculously providential, and I
shall think better of penances for the rest of my life."

The lie so temptingly offered for my adoption, I was about to make use
of. But when I reflected from whence I had collected that sacred earth,
I dared not profane it by falsehood. So, with a faltering voice, and my
eyes filling with tears, I told the magistrate the truth.

"My young friend," said he, "these superstitious fancies and acts are
best omitted. I am sure that you do not need this earth to remember
your mother. Besides, it must be prejudicial to your health to carry it
about your person, to say nothing of the singularity of the deed. Take
my advice, and convey it carefully to the nearest consecrated ground,
and there reverently deposit it. We will preserve this ball, with the
pistol; and now let Mr Ankins dress your slight wound. We must see you
well through this affair, and the Admiralty must prolong your leave of
absence, if it be necessary. I should wish to know more of you as a
private individual--there is my card. You are a very good lad for
honouring your mother. Fare ye well."

With many compliments from the surgeon also, and a roller or two of
cotton round my chest, we mutually took leave of each other; the
gentleman very considerately refusing the guinea that I tendered him.

Having discharged the post-chaise, Mr Pigtop, his two companions, and
myself, left the office,--I bearing in my hand the handkerchief nearly
filled with mould. What did I do with it--saturated as it was with my
blood, and owing as I did my life to it? Perhaps, sweet and gentle
lady, you think that I preserved it in a costly vase, over which I might
weep, or had it made up by some fair hands systematically into a silken
belt, and still wore it next my heart, or, at least, that I placed it in
a china flower-vase, and planted a rose-tree therein, which I watered
daily b