one of those men, whose heart is always proclaimed to be in
the _right place_, whose bad deeds men excuse, and women adore.

The day he made his first appearance upon the deck, the captain flew
into a towering passion, and marching up to him, demanded with a great
oath "How the devil he came on board, and what money he had to pay his
passage?"

Stephen showed his white teeth, and replied with a provoking smile--

"Not as the fair Cleopatra did to the great Caesar, rolled up in a
feather-bed; but under cover of a woman's petticoat, most noble
Captain."

"Have done with your d----d fooling! Who was the bold hussy that dared
to smuggle you on board?"

"I never betray a woman's secret," returned the audacious youth, bowing
very low, with an air of mock gravity. "God bless the dear sex, it has
befriended me ever since I could run alone! Women have been my weakness
from the hour that I had discrimination enough to know the difference
between a smooth cheek and a hairy one."

"And pray how do you intend to live?"

"Under the favour and patronage of the dear angels, who will never
suffer their faithful slave and admirer to perish for lack of food."

"I wish them joy of their big baby," cried the rough seaman. "A most
hopeful and promising child he seems by this light! And your name, sir?"

"Stephen Corrie."

"Your profession!"

"A saddler by trade, an actor by choice, a soldier by necessity. I
hated the first of these, and never took well to the saddle. The second
pleased me; but not my audience. And the last I took French leave of the
other night, and determined to try how salt water would agree with my
constitution."

"How do you think a raw hide would agree with you?" growled the Captain.

"He would be a brave fellow who would attempt to administer it," said
Stephen, with a flashing eye. "But to tell you the truth, I had too much
of it at home in the shop. It was my father's receipt for every sin of
the flesh, and the free administration of this devilish weapon made me
what I am. But softly, Captain. It is of no use putting yourself into a
passion. You can't throw me overboard, and you may make me useful, since
Providence has placed me here."

"Confound your impudence!" roared out old Boreas, in his stentorian
voice. "Do you think that Providence cares for such a young scamp as
you?"

"Doubtless, with reference to my improvement. And, as I was going to
say, Captain, I am willing to work for my lodging. The