tart off, and clap on all sail for the next town. I
know where to drop an anchor. Come along with me, and, as long as I've
a shot in the locker, damn me if I won't share it with one who has
proved a friend in need.' The constable did not come to his senses; he
was very much stunned, but we loosened his neckcloth, and left him
there, and started off as fast as we could. My new companion, who had a
wooden leg, stopped by a gate, and clambered over it. `We must lose no
time,' said he; `and I may just as well have the benefit of both legs.'
So saying, he took off his wooden stump, and let down his real leg,
which was fixed up just as you saw mine. I made no comments; but off we
set, and at a good round pace gained a village about five miles distant.
`Here we will put up for the night; but they will look for us to-morrow
at daylight, or a little after, therefore we must be starting early. I
know the law beggars well; they won't turn out afore sunrise.' He
stopped at a paltry alehouse, where we were admitted, and soon were busy
with a much better supper than I had ever imagined they could have
produced; but my new friend ordered right and left, with a tone of
authority, and everybody in the house appeared at his beck and command.
After a couple of glasses of grog, we retired to our beds.

"The next morning we started before break of day, on our road to another
town, where my companion said the constables would never take the
trouble to come after him. On our way he questioned me as to my mode of
getting my livelihood, and I narrated how unfortunate I had been. `One
good turn deserves another,' replied the sailor; `and now I'll set you
up in trade. Can you sing? Have you anything of a voice?' `I can't
say that I have,' replied I. `I don't mean whether you can sing in
tune, or have a good voice, that's no consequence; all I want to know
is, have you a good loud one?' `Loud enough, if that's all.' `That's
all that's requisite; so long as you can make yourself heard--you may
then howl like a jackall or bellow like a mad buffalo, no matter which--
as many pay us for to get rid of us, as out of charity; and so long as
the money comes, what's the odds? Why, I once knew an old chap, who
could only play one tune on the clarionet, and that tune out of all
tune, who made his fortune in six or seven streets, for everyone gave
him money, and told him to go away. When he found out that, he came
every morning as regular as