e essence of lobscous; and a very
good thing is a potatie, Sir Jarvy, when a ship's company has been on
salted oakum for a few months."

"Well, what was the next dish the good woman broke down under?" asked
the rear-admiral, fearful the master might order the servant to quit the
room; while he, himself, was anxious to get rid of any further political
discussion.

"Well, sir, she knowed no more of a chowder, than if the sea wern't in
the neighbourhood, and there wern't such a thing as a fish in all
England. When I talked to her of a chowder, she gave in, like a Spaniard
at the fourth or fifth broadside."

"Such ignorance is disgraceful, and betokens a decline in civilization!
But, you hoisted out more knowledge for her benefit, Galleygo--small
doses of learning are poor things."

"Yes, your honour; just like weak grog--burning the priming, without
starting the shot. To be sure, I did, Admiral Blue. I just named to her
burgoo, and then I mentioned duff (_anglice_ dough) to her, but she
denied that there was any such things in the cookery-book. Do you know,
Sir Jarvy, as these here shore craft get their dinners, as our master
gets the sun; all out of a book as it might be. Awful tidings, too,
gentlemen, about the Pretender's son; and I s'pose we shall have to take
the fleet up into Scotland, as I fancy them 'ere sogers will not make
much of a hand in settling law?"

"And have you honoured us with a visit, just to give us an essay on
dishes, and to tell us what you intend to do with the fleet?" demanded
Sir Gervaise, a little more sternly than he was accustomed to speak to
the steward.

"Lord bless you, Sir Jarvy, I didn't dream of one or t'other! As for
telling you, or Admiral Blue, (so the seamen used to call the second in
rank,) here, any thing about lobscous, or chowder, why, it would be
carrying coals to New Market. I've fed ye both with all such articles,
when ye was nothing but young gentlemen; and when you was no longer
young gentlemen, too, but a couple of sprightly luffs, of nineteen. And
as for moving the fleet, I know, well enough, that will never happen,
without our talking it over in the old Planter's cabin; which is a much
more nat'ral place for such a discourse, than any house in England!"

"May I take the liberty of inquiring, then, what _did_ bring you here?"

"That you may, with all my heart, Sir Jarvy, for I likes to answer your
questions. My errand is not to your honour this time, though you ar