even
at the sacrifice of pay and rank; such was the impression a short life
ashore had made on him, and so complete his contempt for any service
save that in blue water.

"Come, old 'sea-wolf,'"--such was the sobriquet Paul went by among his
comrades,--"thou art dull to-night," said an old sailor with a head as
white as snow. "I haven't seen thee so low of heart this many a day."

"What wonder, Comrade, if I am so?" retorted Paul, gruffly. "This shore
service is bad enough, not to make it worse by listening to such yarns
as these we have been hearing, about platoons and squadrons; of charges
here and counter-marches there. _Ventre d'enfer!_ that may amuse
those who never saw a broadside or a boarding; but as for me, look ye,
Comrade!"--here he addressed himself to me, laying his great hand upon
my shoulder as he spoke,--"until ye can bring your mounted lines to
charge up to the mouth of a battery vomiting grape and roundshot, ye
must not tell your stories before old sailors, ay, though they be only
Marines' of the Guard, some of them."

"Don't be angry with old Paul, Comrade," said the man who spoke before;
"he does not mean to offend you."

"Who told you that?" said Paul, sternly. "Why can't you sheer off, and
leave me to' lay alongside of my enemy my own way?"

"You must not call me by such a name," said I; "we all serve the
Emperor, and have no enemies save his. Come, Paul, let us have a cup of
wine together."

"Agreed! an ye promise to tell no more tales of dragoons and hussars,
and such like cattle, I'll drink with you. Bah! it's not Christianlike
to fight a-horse-back,--it's only fit for Turks and Arabs; but for men
that are made to stand fast on their own stout timbers, they have no
need of four-footed beasts to carry them against an enemy. Here's my
hand, Comrade; is it a bargain?"

"Willingly," said I, laughing. "If you consent, instead, to tell us some
of your own adventures, I promise faithfully not to trouble you with one
of mine."

"That's like a man," said Paul, evidently flattered by the successful
assertion of his own superiority. "And now, if the host will let us have
some more wine, I'm ready."

"Ay, ay," cried several together; "replenish the basket once more."

"This time, gentlemen, you must permit me to treat you. It is not every
day such guests assemble under my poor roof," said the landlord, bowing
courteously, "nor am I likely soon to pass so pleasant an evening."

"That's as you p