a copy of that inestimable "Hudibras," which combines the light touch of
Horace with the broader mirth of Catullus. Heh! what think you of the
criticism?'

'Give up that knife,' said I sternly.

'Certainly,' he replied, handing it over to me with a polite bow.
'Is there any other reasonable matter in which I can oblige ye? I will
give up anything to do ye pleasure-save only my good name and soldierly
repute, or this same copy of "Hudibras," which, together with a Latin
treatise upon the usages of war, written by a Fleming and printed in
Liege in the Lowlands, I do ever bear in my bosom.'

I sat down beside him with the knife in my hand. 'You pull both oars,'
I said to Reuben; 'I'll keep guard over the fellow and see that he plays
us no trick. I believe that you are right, and that he is nothing
better than a pirate. He shall be given over to the justices when we
get to Havant.'

I thought that our passenger's coolness deserted him for a moment, and
that a look of annoyance passed over his face.

'Wait a bit!' he said; 'your name, I gather is Clarke, and your home is
Havant. Are you a kinsman of Joseph Clarke, the old Roundhead of that
town?'

'He is my father,' I answered.

'Hark to that, now!' he cried, with a throb of laughter; 'I have a trick
of falling on my feet. Look at this, lad! Look at this!' He drew a