* * * * *

CHAPTER II.

"_Antonio_. Thou knowest that all my fortunes are at sea;
Nor have I money or commodity,
To raise a present sum."

_Merchant of Venice_.

The _Boheeil Kistanaugh_, called in plain English, the kitchen boy,
had entered, not like Caliban, "bearing a log," but with a basket
full. He deposited the supply, and was directed by the commander
to replenish the fire. I believe that Petereeine's allegiance to my
father originated in fear rather than affection. He dreaded

"the deep damnation of his 'Bah!'"

but what was a still more formidable consideration, was a black-thorn
stick which the colonel had carried since he gave up the sword; it
was a beauty, upon which every fellow that came for law, in or out of
custody, lavished his admiration--a clean crop, with three inches of
an iron ferule on the extremity. My father was, "good easy man," a
true Milesian philosopher--his arguments were those impressive ones,
called _ad hominem_, and after he had _grassed_ his man, he explained
the reason at his leisure.

_Petereeine_ (little Peter), as he was called, to distinguish him from
another of that apostolic name--who was six feet two--approached the