"Look ye, Leonard Hust," said the marine, "do you know you arc talking
to a sentry on duty, and that it's clearly against the rules of the ship
to do so?"

"Why, as to the matter of that, I don't see hut that you are as much to
blame as I am," continued the other; "but who is there to peach on
either of us?"

"That's true," added the marine, bringing the butt of his musket lightly
to the deck; "but for all that, Leonard, it's dangerous business, for
you see if--hallo! what's that?"

"Nothing; nothing but me drawing this cork," said the other, quickly
producing a small bottle of brandy from his pocket, and urging the
marine to drink.

The temptation was too great, and the sleepy and tired sentinel drank a
heavy draught of the liquor, smacking his lips, and forgetting the sound
he had just heard, and which Leonard Hust very well knew was caused by
the prisoner's descent a little too quickly into the water, alongside
the ship.

"Now, Bill, what do you think I did dream?" continued the captain's man.

"Bother it, how can I tell?" answered the marine. "Let it out if it's
worth telling."

"Why, do you see, Bill, I kept tossing and turning uncomfortable-like
for an hour or so, until finally I thought I saw you, with your face as
black as the ace of spades, and your body dangling by the neck from the