go and find the major,
to let him know that help was at hand.

"Time enough by-and-by, when he comes in from the fields, where they've
sent the poor gentleman to work. They put me to field labour at first,
but they found out that I was handy as a rigger, so they've put me to
refitting some of their craft. They've given me to understand that if
I'll consent to turn Moor or Turk, or somewhat of that sort, and worship
their Prophet, they'll make me a captain, or admiral for what I know,
and will give me one of their black-eyed young women for a wife; but
I'll see them all triced up at their own yard-arms before I changes my
religion, or forgets my own faithful rosy-cheeked Poll at home."

I applauded his resolution, and charged him to adhere to it in ease he
should not escape.

"No fear of me, sir, I hope," he answered. "But, I say, sir," he added,
in a serious tone, "I hope Mr Vernon, who used to be a very nice young
gentleman when I knew him in the _Turtle_, ain't turned Turk in
earnest."

I assured him that he was only acting the part for a short time, which,
I believed, was lawful.

"Well, I'm glad of that, sir," he replied. "But, I say, sir, what do
you think?" He looked out of the door, and then came back, and
continued,--"I see a number of these Moorish fellows coming here, drawn,
it's pretty clear, by your music. Now I'll just see if we can't
astonish the natives. Do you strike up a right jolly hornpipe, and I'll
toe and heel it till all's blue, and see if I don't make them understand
what a real sailor can do with his feet when he's inclined."

The idea pleased me amazingly; so I came to the door, and began to
scrape away right merrily, while Jack commenced one of the wildest
hornpipes I ever saw danced. How he cut and shuffled,--how he crossed
his feet and sprang up in the air, and kicked and capered,--it is almost
impossible to describe. I could scarcely forbear laughing myself,
especially when I saw a number of grave long-bearded Moors assembled
round him, with looks of mute astonishment and admiration at his
agility.

Mr Vernon soon joined them, and was as much astonished, evidently, as
the rest. At last even Jack's physical powers could hold out no longer,
and, exhausted, he threw himself down on one of our horse-rugs near the
door. He had, however, not remained there long, when one of the
Sheikh's slaves made his appearance, and, salaaming Mr Vernon, said
that his master had been informed