mean by a Methodist?" he
inquired. "If it is applied to a man who acts the part of a consistent
Christian, and does his duty methodically--with system, and not by fits
and starts,--it is a very high compliment you pay him; and as for the
term saint, let me assure you that those who do not become saints have
their souls in a very perilous condition."

These remarks of Stallman's, though my young messmate tried to look
unconcerned and indifferent to them at the time, had, I believe, a very
beneficial effect on him. I will not, however, dwell longer on this
subject, important though it is, or my readers may declare that, instead
of writing my adventures for their amusement, I am giving them a book of
sermons. I will not do that; but still I must urge them to pay
attention to what I have said--never to be ashamed of their religion;
far, far rather to be proud of it, and ever to make God's word the rule
of their conduct.--To return to my narrative. The repairs of the
frigate having been completed, we once more put to sea, and made sail
for Tripoli and Tunis. Our poor Italian master, Signor Mezzi, had
declared most positively that nothing would ever again tempt him to
venture on the treacherous ocean; but a few weeks on the smooth water of
Malta harbour had wonderfully reassured him, and he continued therefore
with us, to our somewhat problematical benefit. Nothing occurred on our
passage to and from those places.

We were once more entering Malta harbour. Mr Vernon at once went on
shore, and I again accompanied him. He repaired to the post-office, but
there were, to his evident disappointment, no letters for him. He
considered for a moment. "We'll go to the agents of the _Ariadne_; she
must have arrived at Gibraltar long before the last mails left."

The agent's office was close to the harbour. We threaded our way to it
among bales, and casks, and packages.

The senior partner, Mr Dunnage, received us very politely; and when Mr
Vernon inquired for the brig, his countenance assumed a grave look.

"We must hope for the best," he replied; "but she is, I own, very long
overdue, and we have had no tidings whatever of her. She may have put
into some little-frequented port, with the loss of her spars or masts,
and the master may not have been able to communicate with us."

"Nay, I am sure it must be so," he continued, seeing the agitation into
which the information had thrown my lieutenant.

"Was the master a ste