hat you were senselessly
intoxicated last night."

This harangue, admirably delivered, took Captain Crang between wind
and water. It was in vain he looked to his first officer for help.
Mr. Wapshott, still swaying by the poop rail, lifted and wagged an
admonitory forefinger.

"No use y'r asking me," said Mr. Wapshott. "_I_ didn't dine with the
Duke." He paused and asked with sudden inconsequent heartiness,
"Well, and how did you get along, you two?"

"If only I could tell!" murmured Captain Crang, passing a hand over
his brow.

"Not stuck-up, I hope? Affable? I'll bet any man sixpence he was
affable. Mind you, I don't speak from 'xperience," went on Mr.
Wapshott, more in sorrow than in anger. "_I_ don't dine out with
Admirals of the Fleet. The Blood Royal don't invite James Wapshott
to take a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne, for auld lang syne,
my dear, for auld. . . . You'll excuse me, sir, some little emotion;
Robert Burns--Robbie--affecting beggar, mor' specially in his
homelier passages. A ploughman, sir; and from Ayrshire, damme!"

"'Wee sleekit crimson-tippit beastie--'"

"Are you addressing me, sir?" roared Captain Crang.

"Norratall. Field-mouse. _That_"--Mr. Wapshott drew himself up--
"_that's_ the 'stonishing thing about it."

"Go to your cabin, sir," the Captain commanded; "and you,
Mr. What's-your-name, come below and explain yourself."

Thus, not without dignity, he withdrew from the field. But he
was beaten; and in his cabin a few minutes later he capitulated.
Mr. Sturge having been convinced that the ship could not be turned
around and headed back for Plymouth without grave inconvenience, and
perhaps detriment to his Majesty's service, it was agreed that he and
his company should be packed ashore immediately on reaching
Portsmouth. The question of compensation was waived by consent;
though Captain Crang shrewdly expressed his hope that, whatever steps
Mr. Sturge might take after consulting a solicitor, his Royal
Highness would not be dragged into the affair.

In short, Mr. Sturge reappeared on deck in high spirits. He had
bearded a British officer--and a formidable one--in his den and had
come off victorious. He had secured his own liberty and his
comrades', and (as reflection told him) a first-class advertisement
to boot. Altogether, he had done very well indeed; and Mr. Jope,
chastened by his own narrow escape from a situation which at one
moment had promised to