"We came to tell you," interposed Bill, "as 'ow----"

"Get out," roared the skipper again. "How dare you come to my
state-room, and like this, too."

"All our clothes 'ave gone and so 'as the sojer chap," said Bill.

"Serve you damned well right for letting him go," cried the skipper,
angrily. "Hurry up, George, and get alongside," he called to the mate,
"we'll catch him yet. Clear out, you--you--ballet girls."

The indignant seamen withdrew slowly, and, reaching the foot of the
companion, stood there in mutinous indecision. Then, as the cook placed
his foot on the step, the skipper was heard calling to the mate again.

"George?" he said, in an odd voice.

"Well?" was the reply.

"I hope you're not forgetting yourself and playing larks," said the
skipper, with severity.

"Larks?" repeated the mate, as the alarmed crew fled silently on deck
and stood listening open-mouthed at the companion. "Of course I ain't.
You don't mean to tell me--"

"All my clothes have gone, every stitch I've got," replied the skipper,
desperately, as the mate sprang out. "I shall have to borrow some of
yours. If I catch that infernal--"

"You're quite welcome," said the mate, bitterly, "only somebody has
borrowed 'em already. That's what comes of sleeping too heavy."

*****

The _Merman_ sailed bashfully into harbour half an hour later, the
uniforms of its crew evoking severe comment from the people on the quay.
At the same time, Mr. Harry Bliss, walking along the road some ten
miles distant, was trying to decide upon his future career, his present
calling of "shipwrecked sailor" being somewhat too hazardous even for
his bold spirit.

THE BULLY OF THE "CAVENDISH"

"Talking of prize-fighters, sir," said the night-watchman, who had
nearly danced himself over the edge of the wharf in illustrating one
of Mr. Corbett's most trusted blows, and was now sitting down taking in
sufficient air for three, "they ain't wot they used to be when I was
a boy. They advertise in the papers for months and months about their
fights, and when it does come off, they do it with gloves, and they're
all right agin a day or two arter.

"I saw a picter the other day o' one punching a bag wot couldn't punch
back, for practice. Why, I remember as a young man Sinker Pitt, as used
to 'ave the King's Arms 'ere in 'is old age; when 'e wanted practice 'is
plan was to dress up in a soft 'at and black coat like a chapel minister
or something, and go in a pu