the party; but this was refused, and the boat shoved off without
him.

As soon as Mr Vanslyperken had shoved off, Dick Short, being in
command, thought he might as well give himself leave and go on shore
also. So he went down, put on his best, and ordered the other boat to
be manned, and leaving Obadiah Coble on board as the next officer, he
took with him Jansen, Jemmy Ducks, and four or five others, to have a
cruise. Now, as Snarleyyow had this time made up his mind that he would
go on shore, and Short was willing to indulge him, for he knew that
Smallbones, if he fell in with him would do his best to launch him into
one of the canals, so convenient in every street, the cur was permitted
to get into the boat, and was landed with the rest of the party, who, as
usual, repaired to the Lust Haus of the widow Vandersloosh; where we
must leave them for the present, and return to our friend, Mr
Vanslyperken.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

IN WHICH THE WIDOW LAYS A TRAP FOR MR. VANSLYPERKEN, AND SMALLBONES LAYS
A TRAP FOR SNARLEYYOW, AND BOTH BAG THEIR GAME.

The widow Vandersloosh, as we have informed the reader, was the owner of
a Lust Haus, or pleasure-house for sailors: we will describe that
portion of her tenements more particularly by-and-bye: at present, we
must advert to her own private house, which stood adjoining, and had a
communication with the Lust Haus by a private door through the party
wall. This was a very small, snug little habitation, wit one window in
each front, and two stories high; containing a front parlour and kitchen
on the basement, two small rooms on the first and two on the second
floor. Nothing could be better arranged for a widow's residence.
Moreover, she had a back-yard running the whole length of the wall of
the Lust Haus in the rear, with convenient offices, and a back-door into
the street behind.

Mr Vanslyperken had arrived, paid his humble devoirs to the widow, more
humble, because he was evidently pleased with his own person, and had
been followed by Smallbones, who laid the biscuit by the scraper at the
door, watching it as in duty bound. The lieutenant imagined that he was
more graciously received than usual. Perhaps he was, for the widow had
not had so much custom lately, and was glad the crew of the cutter were
arrived to spend their money. Already had Vanslyperken removed his
sword and belt, and laid them with his three-cornered laced hat on the
side-table; he was already cosily,