along, and could not right herself."--"I run you foul of a post!"
cried the commander: "d-- my heart! you're a pretty dog, an't you,
to tell me so above-board to my face? Did I take charge of the
chaise? Did I stand at the helm?"--"No," answered Hatchway; "I must
confess you did not steer; but, howsomever, you cunned all the way,
and so, as you could not see how the land lay, being blind of your
larboard eye, we were fast ashore before you knew anything of the
matter, Pipes, who stood abaft, can testify the truth of what I
say."--"D-- my limbs!" resumed the commodore, "I don't value what
you or Pipes say a rope-yarn. You're a couple of mutinous--I'll
say no more; but you shan't run your rig upon me, d-- ye, I am the
man that learnt you, Jack Hatchway, to splice a rope and raise a
perpendicular."

The lieutenant, who was perfectly well acquainted with the trim of
his captain, did not choose to carry on the altercation any further;
but taking up his can, drank to the health of the stranger, who very
courteously returned the compliment, without, however, presuming
to join in the conversation, which suffered a considerable pause.
During this interruption, Mr. Hatchway's wit displayed itself in
several practical jokes upon the commodore, with whom he knew it
was dangerous to tamper in any other way. Being without the sphere
of his vision, he securely pilfered his tobacco, drank his rumbo,
made wry faces, and, to use the vulgar phrase, cocked his eye at
him, to the no small entertainment of the spectators, Mr. Pickle
himself not excepted, who gave evident tokens of uncommon satisfaction
at the dexterity of this marine p pantomime.

Meanwhile, the captain's choler gradually subsided, and he was
pleased to desire Hatchway, by the familiar and friendly diminutive