ed him out, on a dark night--I never could understand which had
rendered the service to the other; at all events, it had united them
ever afterwards, and Peter had afterwards nursed his master through a
long illness, and saved his life. The most important secrets of State
might have been discussed freely in Peter's presence. First, he did not
understand a word that was said, and then he was far too honest and
discreet to have revealed it if he had.

Several people had been announced. Ten minutes generally brought the
whole together. I caught the name of one--Captain Hassall. He was a
stranger, a strongly-built man with a sunburnt countenance and bushy
whiskers; nothing remarkable about him, except, perhaps, the determined
expression of his eye and mouth. His brow was good, and altogether I
liked his looks, and was glad to find myself seated next to him. He had
been to all parts of the world, and had spent some time in the India and
China seas. He gave me graphic accounts of the strange people of those
regions; and fights with Chinese and Malay pirates, battles of a more
regular order with French and Spanish privateers, hurricanes or
typhoons. Shipwrecks and exciting adventures of all sorts seemed
matters of everyday occurrence. A scar on his cheek and another across
his hand, showed that he had been, at close quarters, too, on some
occasion, with the enemy.

Mr Janrin and Mr Thursby both paid him much attention during dinner.
Allusions were made by him to a trading voyage he had performed in the
service of the firm, and it struck me from some remarks he let drop that
he was about to undertake another of a similar character. I was not
mistaken. After dinner, when the rest of the guests were gone, he
remained behind to discuss particulars, and Mr Janrin desired me to
join the conclave. I was much interested in all I heard. A large new
ship, the _Barbara_, had been purchased, of which Captain Hassall had
become part owner. She was now in dock fitting for sea. She mounted
ten carriage guns and four swivels, and was to be supplied with a
proportionate quantity of small arms, and to be well manned. A letter
of marque was to be obtained for her, though she was not to fight except
in case of necessity; while her cargo was to be assorted and suited to
various localities. She was to visit several places to the East of the
Cape of Good Hope, and to proceed on to the Indian Islands and China.

"And how do you li