volley upon volley of shrieks, which alarmed the
harbor, while the boat went shooting like a javelin toward the
men-of-war.

However, those old stump-tailed African baboons found a gold ounce in
their boat after it had been set adrift from the American frigate. What
a jolly snapping of teeth over a tough old goose stuffed with onions
that night, with two respectable colored ladies and a case-bottle of rum
beside them! You can almost sniff the fragrant odor as it arises, even
at this distance. I do, and shall, mayhap, many a time again, in lands
where stuffed goose and comely colored ladies abound.

CHAPTER XLVI.

PARTING.

"The very stars are strangers, as I catch them
Athwart the shadowy sails that swell above;
I can not hope that other eyes will watch them
At the same moment with a mutual love.
They shine not there as here they now are shining;
The very hours are changed. Ah! do ye sleep?
O'er each home pillow midnight is declining--
May one kind dream at least my image keep!"

There had been a small party on board the "Monongahela" the night before
to bid the commodore good-by--all old friends of both parties--the
Pirons, Burns, Stewart, Stingo, and Jacob Blunt. Clinker was not there,
for he never went where it was damp, and if he got musty it must be from
mildew on shore. The "Martha Blunt," under the careful management of
young Binks, the mate, with Banou and all the baggage on board, was
being towed by two of the frigate's boats down the harbor, with her
yards mast-headed, all ready to sheet home the sails when the black
pilot should say the land-wind would make and the passengers to come on
board.

The lights were twinkling from lattice and veranda in the upper and
lower town, the lanterns of the French and English admirals were shining
from the tops of their flag-ships, and the revolving gleams from the
beacon on the Pallissadoes Point flickered and dazzled over the gemmed
starlit surface of the water. The awning was still spread on the
after-deck of the "Monongahela;" and there, while the officer of the
watch paced the forward part of the deck with the midshipmen to leeward,
the sentries on the high platform outside and on the forecastle, the
party of ladies and gentlemen stood silently watching and thinking.

There is no need explaining their looks or their thoughts; we know all
about them. How Paddy Burns and Tom Stewart, with little Stingo, were
goi