ficers
of the Indiaman of which he was a mate--to all these tales (and over his
cups Altamont told many of them; and, it must be owned, lied and bragged
a great deal) Sir Francis now listened with great attention; making a
point of drinking wine with Altamont at dinner and of treating him with
every distinction.

"Leave him alone, I know what he's a-coming to," Altamont said, laughing
to Strong, who remonstrated with him, "and leave me alone; I know what
I'm a-telling, very well. I was officer on board an Indiaman, so I was;
I traded to New South Wales, so I did, in a ship of my own, and lost
her. I became officer to the Nawaub, so I did; only me and my royal
master have had a difference, Strong--that's it. Who's the better or
the worse for what I tell? or knows anything about me? The other chap is
dead--shot in the bush, and his body reckonised at Sydney. If I thought
anybody would split, do you think I wouldn't wring his neck? I've done
as good before now, Strong--I told you how I did for the overseer before
I took leave--but in fair fight, I mean--in fair fight; or, rayther, he
had the best of it. He had his gun and bay'net, and I had only an axe.
Fifty of 'em saw it--ay, and cheered me when I did it--and I'd do it
again,--him, wouldn't I? I ain't afraid of anybody; and I'd have the
life of the man who split upon me. That's my maxim, and pass me the
liquor.--You wouldn't turn on a man. I know you. You're an honest
feller, and will stand by a feller, and have looked death in the
face like a man. But as for that lily-livered sneak--that poor lyin'
swindlin' cringin' cur of a Clavering--who stands in my shoes--stands
in my shoes, hang him! I'll make him pull my boots off and clean 'em, I
will. Ha, ha!" Here he burst out into a wild laugh, at which Strong
got up and put away the brandy-bottle. The other still laughed
good-humouredly. "You're right, old boy," he said; "you always keep
your head cool, you do--and when I begin to talk too much--I say, when I
begin to pitch, I authorise you, and order you, and command you, to put
away the rum-bottle."

"Take my counsel, Altamont," Strong said, gravely, "and mind how you
deal with that man. Don't make it too much his interest to get rid of
you; or who knows what he may do?"

The event for which, with cynical enjoyment, Altamont had been on the
look-out, came very speedily. One day, Strong being absent upon an
errand for his principal, Sir Francis made his appearance in the