nd, and made it appear that our course was due north.

"That should give us time," said he as he replaced the cover. "The
land-lubbers will know no better.--Use your pocket-compass,
quartermaster, and keep her as she is.--Now, my man," said he,
addressing one of the loyal marines who had been standing sentry, "what
is it?"

"If you plaze, sir, the hounds beyant there want a word with yez."

"Tell them the hour is not yet up, and that Mr Adrian is below."

"Sure I told them so, and Callan, he's their talking man, says he must
see yourself, or there'll be mischief."

"Very good," said Mr Felton. "Pass the word below for all hands on
deck; and let every man go quietly to his place.--Marine, allow Callan
on the quarter-deck."

But Mr Callan was not tipsy enough to fall into such a trap, and
insisted on the honours of war and the word of a gentleman that he and
three of his followers should be allowed safe-conduct, hinting at the
same time that the forward guns were still in position, and that any
attempt to break parole would be visited with ugly consequences.

Lieutenant Felton gravely gave the necessary assurance, whereupon,
ordering their followers to wait below, Callan and three comrades, as
tipsy as himself, staggered up the ladder.

"Now, sir, what is the matter?" demanded Mr Felton.

"Matter? The ship's on the wrong tack. You're sailing her out to sea;
and if she's not put round at once, we'll put her about for you."

Mr Felton laughed.

"Not so easy to sail out to sea in this wind as you think, my lad. I
wonder, now, if you really know what direction we are going in."

One of the four replied, "Nor'-east," unless he was mistaken.

"Bless me," said the officer, "and these are the men who pretend to
speak in the name of the British seaman! I should prefer to take the
word of the compass against yours in a cap of wind, my fine fellow, any
day. Nor'-east, indeed!"

"The compass will say the same as us; or maybe we're a point more to
eastward."

"You can satisfy yourself as to that if you please," said Mr Felton
dryly.--"Mr Gallagher, take these men and show them the compass. It
will be a lesson to them in navigation."

The laughter of the company succeeded in effectually damping the
confidence of our amateur seamen as they slowly followed me abaft.

"Steer gingerly round these guns," said I, as we passed the two guns
which had been brought to bear on the forecastle; "they're loaded.
Gently n