ur
countenances, that we both burst out into fits of laughter. We indulged
in our mirth for some time, and then got up and commenced our walk back
into the town. Fortunately we had not got any very great distance from
the walls, so the walk was easy of accomplishment. We had proceeded
about a mile or so, when two midshipmen hove in sight, galloping along
in high glee on the very horses which had just disburdened themselves of
us.

"Hillo! you fellows, those are our horses," sang out Dicky; "just get
off now, will you?"

But he might as well have called a whirlwind to halt; for
helter-skelter, past us they dashed, without minding us a bit. Dicky
was highly indignant.

"Well, I never was so treated in my life!" he exclaimed.

"Wait a bit," said I; for I had a shrewd suspicion that the horses would
play their present riders the same trick they had served us; and sure
enough, in about ten minutes, we heard a clattering of hoofs behind us,
and, looking round, saw the knowing old steeds coming, galloping along
by themselves.

"Now, now's the time, Dicky," I sang out. "You catch one and I'll catch
the other, and we'll still have our ride out. The horses are ours,
there's no doubt of it."

Sooner said, however, than done. The beasts came on very steadily till
they got close to us, and then they began rearing and frisking, and
kicking up such a dust that it was impossible to catch hold of their
bridles; and, it must be confessed, we were glad enough to get out of
their way without being trampled over.

"Where are the brutes?" I asked, feeling very foolish.

"Where are they?" echoed Dicky, looking the same. "There they go, as
steady as cart-horses. Hang it! they knew we were midshipmen."

Our only satisfaction was to see a third set of riders come out on the
same brutes, and to be able to laugh in our sleeves, while we wished
them a pleasant ride across the island. What became of all the riders I
don't know. The steeds again passed us just before we reached the
gates.--Three or four evenings after this, the officers of the ship were
asked to a ball, and the captain took Dicky and me. We did not know
anybody, and were hard up for partners, till the skipper introduced us
each to a Maltese girl. They were both very short, though that was a
fault on the right side; but they were also very fat and very dark, and
could not speak a word of English; and one squinted, and the other had
lost an eye. Their noses t