ening the book.

"Yes, sir, you please to read them, and I go speak to young gentlemen,
before other dubash come on board; I bring gentlemen little fruit," and
laying the basket respectfully on the table, with another low salaam the
man quitted the gun-room.

Courtenay read for a minute, and then burst into a fit of laughter.
"Very good certificates, indeed," observed he, "only hear--

"First.--This is to certify, that Hommajee Baba served the gun-room mess
of his Majesty's ship _Flora_, and cheated us most damnably.

"Signed Peter Hicks, 1st Lieut.

"Jonas Smith, Purser.

"Second.--Hommajee Baba served me as dubash during my stay in this port.
He is a useful fellow, but a great scoundrel. I gave him one half of
his bill, and he was perfectly satisfied. I recommend others to do the
same.

"Signed Andrew Thompson, Company's ship _Clio_.

"Third.--I perfectly agree with the above remarks; but as all the other
dubashes are as great thieves, and not half so intelligent, I
conscientiously recommend Hommajee Baba.

"Signed Peter Phillips, Captain Honbl. Company's cruiser _Vestal_.

"Fourth.--Of all the scoundrels that I ever had to deal with, in this
most rascally quarter of a most knavish world, Hommajee Baba is the
greatest. Never give him any money, as he will find it; but when you go
away, pay him one-third of his bill, and you will still have paid him
too much.

"Signed Billy Helflame, Captain H.M.S. _Spitfire_."

About a dozen pages of the book were filled with certificates to the
above effect, which the dubash, although he spoke English fluently, not
being able to read, considered as he had been informed at the time, to
be decidedly in his favour. They were so far valuable, that they put
newcomers upon their guard, and prevented much extortion on the part of
the said Hommajee.

When the laughter had to a degree subsided, Billy Pitts was the first to
exclaim--"Damn black villain--I think so, when he come to me; not like
cut of um jib--"

"`Who steals my purse, steals trash,'" spouted Price.

"'Cause you never have money, Mr Price," cried Billy, interrupting him.

"Silence, sir,--`But he who filches from me my good name, robs me of
that--of that--'"

"Rob you of what, sar?"

"Silence, sir," again cried Price--"`robs me of that--' what is it?--
that damned black thief has put it out of my head--"

"I not the thief, sar--Massa Price, you always forget end of your
story."

"I'll make an end of