et porter, who, putting a letter in his hand,
vanished in a moment, before he had time to peruse the contents.

Our hero, opening the billet, was not a little surprised to find a
bank-note for fifty pounds, enclosed in a blank sheet of paper; and,
having exercised his memory and penetration on the subject of this
unexpected windfall, had just concluded, that it could come from no
other hand than the lady who had so kindly visited him a few days
before, when his ears were suddenly invaded by the well-known sound of
that whistle which always hung about the neck of Pipes, as a memorial of
his former occupation. This tune being performed, he heard the noise
of a wooden leg ascending the stair; upon which he opened his door, and
beheld his friend Hatchway, with his old shipmate at his back.

After a cordial shake of the hand, with the usual salutation of, "What
cheer, cousin Pickle?" honest Jack seated himself without ceremony; and
casting his eyes around the apartment, "Split my top-staysail," said he,
with an arch sneer, "you have got into a snug berth, cousin. Here you
may sit all weathers, without being turned out to take your watch, and
no fear of the ship's dragging her anchor. You han't much room to spare,
'tis true: an' I had known as how you stowed so close, Tom should have
slung my own hammock for you, and then you mought have knocked down this
great lubberly hurricane house. But, mayhap, you turn in double, and so
you don't choose to trust yourself and your doxy to a clue and canvas."

Pickle bore his jokes with great good-humour, rallied him in his turn
about the dairy-maid at the garrison; inquiring about his friends in
the country, asked if he had been to visit his niece, and, finally,
expressed a desire of knowing the cause of his journey to London. The
lieutenant satisfied his curiosity in all these particulars; and, in
answer to the last question, observed that, from the information of
Pipes, understanding he was land-locked, he had come from the country in
order to tow him into the offing. "I know not how the wind sets," said
he, "but if so be as three thousand pounds will bring you clear of the
cape, say the word, and you shan't lie wind-bound another glass for want
of the money."

This was an offer which few people in our hero's situation would have
altogether refused, especially as he had all the reason in the world to
believe, that, far from being a vain unmeaning compliment, it was
the genuine tribu