along with you--that nice young chap, that had such
insinivatin ways with him?"

"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about, sir; I've nothink to
say to no young man whatsumever," replied the damsel addressed, shaking
her curls coquettishly.

"Ah!" sighed Coleman, "if I were but single now."

"Why, you never mean to say you've got a wife already, such a very young
gentleman as you are?"

"Not only that, but a small family with a large appetite," continued
Coleman, pathetically.

"Well, I never," exclaimed the bar-maid, surprised, for once, out of
her company manners; then, observing a smile, at her expense, going the
round of the party, she added, "I see how it is; you are making fun
of me, sir; ~100~~oh, fie, you're a wicked young gentleman, I know you
are."

"Never mind him, my dear," said Lawless, "but give me another bottle of
porter."

In converse such as this the meal and the half-dozen of porter were
finished; in addition to which Lawless chose to have a glass of
brandy-and-water and a cigar. Having been rendered unusually hungry by
the sea air and the unaccustomed exercise of rowing, I had both eaten
and drunk more than I was in the habit of doing, to which cause may be
attributed my falling into a doze; an example which, I have every reason
to believe, was followed by most of the others. I know not how long my
nap had lasted, when I was aroused by hearing Coleman exclaim:--

"Why I think it rains! Lawless, wake up! I don't much like the look of
the weather."

"What's the row?" inquired Lawless, leisurely removing his legs from the
table on which they had been resting, and walking to the window--a feat,
by the way, he did not perform quite as steadily as usual. "By Jove!"
he continued, "the wind's blowing great guns; we must look sharp, and be
off--we shall have the sea getting up."

Accordingly, the bill was rung for and paid; Mary received half a
crown and a kiss from Lawless, and down we ran to the beach, where
difficulties we were little prepared for awaited us.

CHAPTER XI -- BREAKERS AHEAD!

"Now would I give a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of
barren ground.... The wills above be done! but I would
fain die a dry death."

"I have great comfort from this fellow: methinks he hath
no drowning mark upon him."--Tempest.

THE wind, which we had observed was rising when we landed, had increased
during our stay at the inn, and