, but we must first explain
the unexpected appearance of Smallbones. When Corporal Van Spitter was
requested by Vanslyperken to bring a pistol and cartridge, the corporal,
who had not forgotten the hints thrown out by Vanslyperken during their
last consultation, immediately imagined that it was for Smallbones'
benefit. And he was strengthened in his opinion, when he learnt that
Smallbones was to go on shore with his master after it was dusk. Now
Corporal Van Spitter had no notion of the poor lad's brains being blown
out; and when Mr Vanslyperken went on deck and left the pistol, he went
into the cabin, searched for it, and drew the bullet, which
Vanslyperken, of course, was not aware of. It then occurred to the
corporal, that if the pistol were aimed at Smallbones, and he was
uninjured, it would greatly add to the idea, already half entertained by
the superstitious lieutenant, of there hem something supernatural about
Smallbones, if he were loft to suppose that he had been killed, and had
reappeared. He therefore, communicated his suspicions to the lad, told
him what he had done, and advised him, if the pistol were fired to
pretend to be killed, and, when left by his master, to come on board
quietly in the night. Smallbones, who perceived the drift of all this,
promised to act accordingly, and in the last chapter it will be observed
how he contrived to deceive his master. As soon as the lieutenant was
out of hearing, Smallbones rose, and leaving the bag where it lay,
hastened back to Portsmouth, and came on board about two hours before
Vanslyperken rang his bell. He narrated what had passed, but, of
course, could not exactly swear that it was Vanslyperken who fired the
pistol, as it was fired from behind, but even if he could have so sworn,
at that time he would have obtained but little redress.

It was considered much more advisable that Smallbones should pretend to
believe that he had been attacked by robbers, and that the ball had
missed him, after he had frightened his master by his unexpected
appearance, for Vanslyperken would still be of opinion that the lad
possessed a charmed life.

The state of Mr Vanslyperken during the remainder of that night was
pitiable, but we must leave the reader to suppose rather than attempt to
describe it.

In the morning the corporal came in, and after asking after his
superior's health, informed him that Smallbones had come on board; that
the lad said that the robbers had