r one
o' them?"

"No, it isn't, you dog; for neither of them. Read the superscription.
You see it's addressed to a gentleman?"

"Oh! it's for the guv'nor hisself," rejoins Harry, taking the letter,
and running his eye over the direction--Don Gregorio Montijo. "All
right, sir. I'll put it in the old gentleman's flippers safe an' sure.
Do you want me to go with it now, sir?"

"Well, as soon as you conveniently can; though there's no need for
helter-skelter haste, since there wouldn't be time for an answer,
anyhow. In twenty minutes we'll weigh anchor, and be off. I've hurried
ashore to see you, hoping to find you at the ship-agent's office. How
fortunate my stumbling on you here! For now I can better tell you
what's wanted. In that letter, there's something that concerns Mr
Crozier and myself--matters of importance to us both. When you've given
it to Don Gregorio, he'll no doubt ask you some questions about what
happened last night. Tell him all you know; except that you needn't say
anything of Mr Crozier and myself having taken a little too much
champagne--which we did. You understand, old boy?"

"Perfectly, Master Will."

"Good. Now Harry; I haven't another moment to stay. See! The ship's
beginning to spread canvas! If I don't get back directly, I may be left
here in California, never to rise above the rank of reefer. Oh! by the
way, you'll be pleased to know that your friend Mr Crozier is now a
lieutenant. His commission arrived by the corvette that came in last
night. He told me to tell you, and I'd nearly forgotten it."

"I'm glad to hear it," rejoins the sailor, raising the hat from his
head, and giving a subdued cheer; "right gled; an', maybe, he'll be the
same, hearin' Harry Blew's been also promoted. I'm now first mate o'
the Chili ship, Master Willie."

"Hurrah! I congratulate you on your good luck. I'm delighted to know
that, and so will he be. We may hope some day to see you a full-fledged
skipper, commanding your own craft. Now, you dear old salt, don't
forget to look well after the girls. Again, good-bye, and God bless
you!"

A squeeze of hands, with lingers entwined, tight as a reef-knot--then
relaxed with reluctance--after which they separate. The mid, jumping
into the dingy, is rowed back towards the _Crusader_; while Harry
re-hires the truckman; but now only to stay by, and take care of his
boat, till he can return to it, after executing the errand entrusted to
him. S