hree, soon clinging to the side of the wherry.

"Pull me in--pull me in, waterman!" cried the head clerk, whose voice I
had recognised.

"No; you will swamp the boat."

"Well, but pull me in, if not the others. I'm the senior clerk."

"Can't help that; you must hold on," replied I, "while I pull you on
shore; we shall soon be there." I must say that I felt a pleasure in
allowing him thus to hang in the water. I might have taken them all in
certainly, although at some risk, from their want of presence of mind
and hurry, arising from the feeling of self-preservation; but I desired
them to hold on, and pulled for the landing-place; which we soon gained.
The person who had preferred swimming had arrived before us, and was
waiting on the beach.

"Have you got them all, waterman?" said he.

"Yes, sir, I believe so; I have four."

"The tally is right," replied he, "and four greater galloots were never
picked up; but never mind that. It was my nonsense that nearly drowned
them; and, therefore, I'm very glad you've managed so well. My jacket
went down in the boat, and I must reward you another time."

"Thank you, sir, no occasion for that, it's not a regular fare."

"Nevertheless, give us your name."

"Oh, you may ask Mr Hodgson, the senior clerk, or that full-moon-faced
fellow--they know my name."

"Waterman, what do you mean?" replied Mr Hodgson, shivering with cold.

"Very impudent fellow," said the junior of the round face.

"If they know your name, they won't tell it," replied the other. "Now,
I'll first tell you mine, which is Lieutenant Wilson, of the navy; and
now let's have yours, that I may ask for it; and tell me what stairs you
ply from."

"My name is Jacob Faithful, sir," replied I; "and you may ask your
friends whether they know it or not when their teeth don't chatter quite
so much."

At the mention of my name the senior and junior clerk walked off, and
the lieutenant, telling me that I should hear from him again, was about
to leave. "If you mean to give me money, sir, I tell you candidly I
shall not take it. I hate these two men for the injuries they have
heaped on me; but I don't know how it is, I feel a degree of pleasure in
having saved them, that I wish for no better revenge. So farewell,
sir."

"Spoken as you ought, my lad--that's glorious revenge. Well, then, I
will not come; but if ever we meet again I shall never forget this night
and Jacob Faithful." He held out his hand, s