I, to keep Her Majesty's company; but----"

"This is presuming too far, on the trifling of a moment," interrupted
Ludlow; "you know, sirrah, that I have the right to command your services,
without entering into a parley for them; and which, notwithstanding your
gay appearance, may, after all, be little worth the trouble."

"There is no need to push matters to extremity, between us, Captain
Ludlow," resumed the stranger who had appeared to muse for a moment, "If I
have baffled your pursuit once to-day, it was perhaps to make my merit in
entering the ship freely, less undeniable. We are here alone, and your
Honor will account it no boasting, if I say that a man, well limbed and
active, who stands six feet between plank and earline, is not likely to be
led against his will, like a yawl towing at the stern of a four-and-forty.
I am a seaman, Sir; and though the ocean is my home, I never venture on it
without sufficient footing. Look abroad from this hill, and say whether
there is any craft in view, except the cruiser of the Queen, which would
be likely to suit the taste of a mariner of the long voyage?"

"By which you would have me understand, you are here in quest of service?"

"Nothing less; and though the opinion of a fore-mast Jack may be of little
value, you will not be displeased to hear, that I might look further
without finding a prettier sea-boat, or a swifter, than the one which
sails under your own orders. A seaman of your station, Captain Ludlow, is
not now to learn, that a man speaks differently, while his name is his
own, and after he has given it away to the crown; and therefore I hope my
present freedom will not be long remembered."

"I have met men of your humor before, my friend, and I have not now to