m something out of
the way, for those sounds, I should think, are the feet of servants,
running to and fro. If the servants'-hall is in the condition I suspect,
it will as much need the aid of the parlour, as the parlour can
possibly--"

A tap at the door caused Bluewater to cease speaking; and as Wycherly
threw open the entrance, Galleygo appeared on the threshold, by this
time reduced to the necessity of holding on by the casings.

"Well, sir," said the rear-admiral, sternly, for he was no longer
disposed to trifle with any of the crapulous set; "well, sir, what
impertinence has brought you here?"

"No impertinence at all, your honour; we carries none of _that_, in the
old Planter. There being no young gentlemen, hereabouts, to report
proceedings, I thought I'd just step in and do the duty with my own
tongue. We has so many reports in our cabin, that there isn't an officer
in the fleet that can make 'em better, as myself, sir."

"There are a hundred who would spend fewer words on any thing. What is
your business?"

"Why, sir, just to report one flag struck, and a commander-in-chief on
his beam-ends."

"Good God! Nothing has happened to Sir Gervaise--speak, fellow, or I'll
have you sent out of this Babel, and off to the ship, though it were
midnight."

"It be pretty much that, Admiral Blue; or past six bells; as any one may
see by the ship's clock on the great companion ladder; six bells, going
well on to seven--"

"Your business, sir! what has happened to Sir Gervaise?" repeated
Bluewater, shaking his long fore-finger menacingly, at the steward.

"We are as well, Admiral Blue, as the hour we came over the Planter's
side. Sir Jarvy will carry sail with the best on 'em, I'll answer for
it, whether the ship floats in old Port Oporto, or in a brewer's vat.
Let Sir Jarvy alone for them tricks--he wasn't a young gentleman, for
nothing."

"Have a moment's patience, sir," put in Wycherly, "and I will go myself,
and ascertain the truth."

"I shall make but another inquiry," continued Admiral Bluewater, as
Wycherly left the room.

"Why, d'ye see, your honour, old Sir Wycherly, who is
commander-in-chief, along shore here, has capsized in consequence of
carrying sail too hard, in company with younger craft; and they're now
warping him into dock to be overhauled."

"Is this all!--that was a result to be expected, in such a debauch. You
need not have put on so ominous a face, for this, Galleygo."

"No, sir, so I