o
admirals, as the latter entered the dressing-room of the officer
addressed; "it has turned out just as I thought; and the County of
Fairvillain has come out of his hole, like a porpoise coming up to
breathe, the moment our backs is turned! As soon as we gives the order
to square-away for England, and I see the old Planter's cabin windows
turned upon Franco, I foreseed them consequences. Well, gentlemen,
here's been a heap of prize-money made in this house without much
fighting. We shall have to give the young lieutenant a leave, for a few
months, in order that he may take his swing ashore, here, among his
brother squires!"

"Pray, sir, what may be your pleasure?" demanded Sir Gervaise; "and what
the devil has brought you at my heels?"

"Why, big ships always tows small craft, your honour," returned
Galleygo, simpering. "Howsever, I never comes without an errand, as
every body knows. You see, Sir Jarvy,--you see, Admiral Blue, that our
signal-officer is ashore, with a report for us; and meeting me in the
hall, he made it to me first like, that I might bring it up to you
a'terwards. His news is that the French county is gone to sea, as I has
just told you, gentlemen."

"Can it be possible that Bunting has brought any such tidings here!
Harkee, Galleygo; desire Mr. Bunting to walk up; and then see that you
behave yourself as is decent in a house of mourning."

"Ay-ay-sir. No fears of I, gentlemen. I can put on as grievous a look as
the best on 'em, and if they wishes to see sorrow becomingly, and
ship-shape, let them study my conduct and countenance. We has all seen
dead men afore now, gentlemen, as we all knows. When we fou't Mounsheer
Graveland, (Gravelin,) we had forty-seven slain, besides the hurt that
lived to tell their own pain; and when we had the--"

"Go to the devil, Master Galleygo, and desire Mr. Bunting to walk up
stairs," cried Sir Gervaise, impatiently.

"Ay-ay-sir. Which will your honour have done first?"

"Let me see the signal-officer, _first_," answered the vice-admiral,
laughing; "then be certain of executing the other order."

"Well," muttered Galleygo, as he descended the stairs; "if I was to do
as he says, now, what would we do with the fleet? Ships wants orders to
fight; and flags wants food to give orders; and food wants stewards to
be put upon the table; and stewards wants no devils to help 'em do their
duty. No--no--Sir Jarvy; I'll not pay that visit, till we all goes in
company, as i