ing on a metal more
precious than iron."

"'Tis the character the world gives; but I, for one, would rather lower
the pride of the minions of King George than possess the power of
unlocking his treasury! Said I well, General?" he added, as the individual
he named approached; "said I well, in asserting there was glorious
pleasure in making a pennant trail upon the sea?"

"We fight for victory," returned the martinet. "I am ready to engage at a
minute's notice."

"Prompt and decided, as a soldier.--Now tell me, General, if Fortune, or
Chance, or Providence, whichever of the powers you may acknowledge for a
leader were to give you the option of enjoyments, in what would you find
your deepest satisfaction?"

The soldier seemed to ruminate, ere he answered,----

"I have often thought, that, were I commander of things on earth, I
should, backed by a dozen of my stoutest bullies, charge at the door of
that cave which was entered by the tailor's boy, him they call Aladdin."

"The genuine aspirations of a freebooter! In such case, the magic trees
would soon be disburdened of their fruit. Still it might prove an
inglorious victory, since incantations and charms are the weapons of the
combatants. Call you honour nothing?"

"Hum! I fought for honour half of a reasonably long life, and found myself
as light at the close of all my dangers as at the beginning. Honour and I
have shaken hands, unless it be the honour of coming off conqueror. I have
a strong disgust of defeat, but am always ready to sell the mere honour of
the victory cheap."

"Well, let it pass. The quality of the service is much the same, find the
motive where you will.--How now! who has dared to let yonder
top-gallant-sail fly?"

The startling change in the voice of the Rover caused all within hearing
of his words to tremble. Deep, anxious, and threatening displeasure was in
all its tones, and each man cast his eyes upwards, to see on whose devoted
head the weight of the dreaded indignation of their chief was about to
fall. As there was little but naked spars and tightened ropes to obstruct
the view, all became, at the same instant, apprized of the truth. Fid was
standing on the head of that topmast which belonged to the particular
portion of the vessel where he was stationed, and the sail in question was
fluttering, with all its gear loosened far and high in the wind. His
hearing had probably been drowned by the heavy flapping of the canvas;
for, instead o