Bo'sun resumed his comfortable position, and

"I was off duty one night in the autumn some five or six years ago, and had just had my supper and was thinking of turning in, when there was a knock at the door, and in walked our skipper.

be relieved?"

"Yes, yer honour, of hunger and thirst for a bit, but not of duty; I've three hours to run yet. No, I'm only going back to meet Bo'sun, who'll be bringing me my supper, and I like to save him all I can.

Almost as he spoke I noticed some black object moving towards us, which proved to be the dog, and, as Rogers had said, was bringing his master's supper neatly done up in a little basket, which he carried cleverly by the handle. The old man received him with an affectionate pat on the head, and a "Thank ye, old mate,' which Bo'sun seemed fully to understand and appreciate; then he sat down on his rickety stool, the dog on the ground beside him, and amicably shared his meal with his humble trusty friend.

Bo'sun was certainly no beauty, but he made up for that in his unwavering affection for his master. Rogers had taken him some years before, when a little puppy, from the wreck of a French brig; had reared and made a constant companion of him ever since. Blind of one eye, when by chance you could get a glimpse of this feature, and with one leg lame and deformed, as if it had been broken and badly set, he was altogether as curious a specimen of the canine breed as one could meet with on a day's march. But in the eyes of his master, Bo'sun was perfect, and he was treated and spoken to by him more as a human being than as a quadruped.

It was not very long before these two friends had finished their meal.

"Now, Rogers," I said, "you promised last year to tell me how it was your poor dog's leg came to be that ungainly shape; and as you've had your supper, and will be on duty for an hour or two to come, you may as well redeem your promise now.

"

You know all about how I came by him, I think, sir? I picked him up on the deck of a Frenchman that had been wrecked off the Point; the crew, poor fellows, had taken to the boats, and had all gone down, for there was no small craft except the lifeboat that could have lived five minutes in such a sea. As, therefore, nobody was there to own him, I took possession and brought him home. This happened soon after I lost my wife, poor cretur; and the little girl as was left to me used to play about and amuse herself with the puppy, and they soon got to be such good friends, that I resolved to keep the animal and rear it, and give him the number of our mess. Well, he grew and he grew till he was as big as he is now, and there he stopped, and all the feeding in the world wouldn't get another inch out of him; but if he didn't get any bigger, he soon became most

oudacious cunning; so I taught him his edication, and drilled him till he knew his duty well, and then I put him on the books as 'Bo'sun A.B.' He's been out with me a'most every night as I've been on watch this eight years, and I hope he'll last a good long time yet, for he's treated well and taken much care of, honest chap. And now you know so far, I'll just tell you of that night when he got lamed so. I'll just have a look round, and be back again in no time: I won't keep you a minute."

With this he rose from his stool, and walked a few paces out to where he could get a good sea view, scanned the horizon narrowly with his glass, gave a look aloft, and again came and seated himself on his rickety contrivance. "Now, sir," said he, "I'm brought to again, and 'll go on with my yarn. Lie down, mate, and make yourself easy; I ain't a-going to move again for a bit, I dessay."

"Rogers,' says he, 'slip on your boots again; I want you.' You see, sir, I'd taken 'em off, and was a having a toast at the fire afore going to my hammock. Well, I slips 'em on again sharp, and gets ready to go out, for I knew by the skipper's manner that there was something

in the wind.

"Look to all your arms, and leave that cur of yours at home to-night; we mustn't have a sound, and he might spoil all with his barking. Now look sharp, and get down to the boat-house as soon as you can.'

666

Ay, ay, sir!' says I; and off he sails. "Well, I uncharged my pistols, and loaded 'em again carefully, stuck 'em in my belt, and buckled on my cutlass. Uncommon anxious old Bo'sun was to go with me; but I dursn't take him for the life of me, so I shoved him back and locked the door, and went straight down to the boat-house ten knots an hour. There I found all our men mustered, and the skipper a-fidgeting about for all the world like a cockroach on a hot stove lid, as if he wanted to be off uncommon.

666

Now, lads,' says he, 'you're all here, so I'll tell you what you've got to do. I've heard from a source on which I can rely, that that blackguard Long Jim is going to run a cargo at the Point to-night, just opposite the Devil's Ladder' (that's a pathway cut zig-zag up the face of the cliff, sir), and I mean to have him at last he doesn't dream of any one knowing it, and thinks he'll do it quite easily. There will be rockets and signals going on about four miles to the eastward; take no notice of them, as it is only to draw us there whilst he does his business at the Point; but just do as I tell you, and come along.'

"With these words, out he bolts, and we arter him. It was as dark as pitch almost, and there was a nasty drizzling rain, which made it altogether as uncomfortable a night as you'd wish to see; but, for all that, we were ready enough for the work we had in hand, for this fellow had baffled us several times, and we'd been more than once jeered at and chaffed about him. After a stiffish walk all along underneath the cliff, we came to the place named, and here the skipper gave us his orders in a whisper.

"Now, then, how many are there of you? Ten. Very good! You, and you, and you, picking out three of us, go up to the third slant in the pathway, and gently too, so as not to make a sound. The rest, except Rogers and Humphrey, go round the Point and hide yourselves until you are called. You stay here, Humphrey, and when you have seen the blue light out at sea, run up and join the party on the pathway, and let them know they can see nothing from their position, because of that high ledge of rock between them and the sea. Now, Rogers, sneak down among those great stones, until you get to the water's edge almost, where you can see the top of the cliff as well as out to sea; keep your weather eye open, mind, for very much will depend upon you. First of all, they'll show a blue light out there somewhere, which will be answered by a similar light on the heights. This will be done twice, and they will then land. Lie quiet until they have all passed your hiding-place and have set foot up the pathway: then return as quietly as you can, summon the men from the other side of the Point, and cut off their retreat: and, by-the-bye, should the signal-man come down after showing his light, he must be stopped and secured, but without noise. Now, do you all understand?' "Ay, ay, sir!' we answered.

666

"Well, then, off to your posts; and remember, whatever you do, make no noise. I am going over to F -as fast as I can, to get the cutter out, in case anything should prevent the landing. So good night, lads.' And away he went as silently as a ghost."

(To be continued.)

VOYAGE OF THE NAUTILUS.

BY THE CAPTAIN.
(Continued from age 390.)

Thursday, August 18.-Wind E., blowing a gale. The Mounts Bay is full of storm-stayed shipping. It is very fortunate for us that we are here, or we should be blown clear off soundings, no doubt. Hauled the Nautilus on shore and scraped the barnacles from her bottom. They were over an inch long, and were all carried off by curiosity-seekers. A part of my log, 4,000 words, was copied here, to be telegraphed to the "New York Herald" by special and district correspondents, by request of James Gordon Bennett, and also to London papers. Took dinner with coastguardsman Parland Griffiths. Took supper at the Old Inn in town by Miss Mary Mundy, at the special invitation of Rev. E. G. Harvey, a Friend in need and a friend indeed" to us.

66

Friday, August 2nd.-Wind E. Gale increasing. Bay full of shipping, including several steamships. Had chads for breakfast on board the Grand Turk. I have a severe attack of indisposition. This part of England is renowned for its ancient remains, and I wish that I could personally inspect them.

The church here, built in the fifteenth century, occupies the site of one built in the twelfth century. Got a trophy from the fount. The houses here are all built of stone and mortar whitewashed, about one storey and a half high. The Nautilus was photographed to-day. Got some advice from Captain Edwards in regard to the Channel, and a guide-book.

Saturday, August 3rd.-Wind N.E. Some of the vessels left to-day to make a hitch farther up the coast, and not to be found here if the wind should veer to 8.W., as it often does, for many mariners have rendered up their lives here under those circumstances; but as the barometer has not changed, and to-morrow being Sunday, I shall remain to attend a regular Church of England service by Rev. E. G. Harvey. Rained at intervals during the day. I do not want to land again after I leave here till I get to Havre, France, and then I want a good spell on shore. Had a Cornish pastie for supper, and slept on board the Nautilus.

It was my intention before starting to secure at least one porpoise and a shark, as trophies of the adventure, and for that purpose I procured a porpoise iron, or harpoon. I could have captured hundreds if so inclined; but as they were my constant compagnons du voyage, and served to occupy my attention with their sportiveness, and knowing that if the whales had the desire to capture me they could, much easier than I could a porpoise, I decided that discretion was the better part of valour, and concluded that the golden rule of doing to others as we would that they should do to us would be the right principle after all; and my decision was, if the large fish would not molest me, I would not touch those in my power. An empty bottle, or even a cork floating on the water, often were welcomed by me as signs of

civilisation.

My greatest precaution, however, was to always have a sharp knife in my pocket, so that if the boat were capsized, and could not be righted again, I could cut a hole through her bottom, or the half-inch cedar, and so be able to reach my carned provisions. A can of Boston baked beans would

be just as acceptable on one side as the other. But I never relished the idea of trying the experiment. Still, I always had an alternative for every disaster. Sunday, August 4th.-Wind W., and light. Got photo aphs of the Nautilus from a Helston photographer, who was showing a little Yankee enterprise. Took breakfast with friend Griffiths. Attended a very interesting service by the vicar, and then took dinner with him. A great many visit the Nautilus. This is the only event that has happened here outside of shipwrecks for many years. Air murky and hazy. Put the boat in the water, and anchored off shore to be all ready to leave for Havre to-morrow morning, if possible.

Monday, August 5th.-Wind E., and morning opened with rain. Friend Griffiths was our only audience on departure from Mullion Cove. A gloomy outlook at daylight. On our way to the Lizard Point wind veered to s.E. Passed the Stag Rocks, they breaking within forty feet of us. My previous experience had taught me this, and off the Lizard were signalled by the signal station operations. Wind s. Course E. by s. half s. Spoke pilot boats No. 1, of Plymouth, and 3, of Falmouth. The steamer Flamingo, of Cork, saluted us. We pass many vessels during the day. Off Dodman's, or Deadman's, Point, spoke in the night a fishing smack. Told us to have nothing to do with the land. Weather thick and rainy at intervals during the night. Wind E. Course S.E. and N.E. Beating up. Near morning passed the Eddystone Lighthouse.

Tuesday, August 6th.-Wind E. Foggy and drizzly. Wind s.E., wind s. Lay our course again. Water sloppy: Spoke British barque Assel. Concluded to make the land, and be sure of our position. Made Bolt Head, then laid our course for the Start Point; passed the point, and spoke pilot boat No. 2, of Plymouth, the Allow Me. They presented us with a "Pilot's Guide Book of the Channel," and were very anxious to assist us. Such men deserved success. Portland then bore N.N.E. twenty miles. Told us to improve the wind, which was now s.W., with the appearance of bad weather. We sailed forty miles farther E. by s. half s., then changed our course to s. by E., and crossed the Channel to the iron-bound coast of France, the mariner's dread and horror. Wind W.S.W.

Wednesday, August 7th.-Made the land between Cape La Hague and Cape Barfleur, sixty-five miles from Havre. Course now S.E. Spoke British steamer Brunette, of London. They very kindly offered to tow us to Havre, but I thanked them and declined the favour, as I have often done before on like occasions. We are off Cherbourg, where, during our war of the rebellion, the Kearsage sunk the Alaba -only think, right on the same spot. We passed through the race of Cape Barfleur, which, luckily, was not bad considering everything. We passed another steamer, and some French pilot boats. This mornit was rough and stormy, with considerable rain; afternoon very pleasant. Made Cape La Heve double lights, that can be seen eight leagues, at 9 p.m Sailed till we were within two leagues of them and hove to till daylight.

Thursday, August 8th.-Entered Havre, the fine seaport of Paris, this morning, with colours flying. This is gratifying to know, that our voyage is so near being accomplished. We were met at the outer

harbour by Mr. A. H. Thompson, of 385, Quai de Ille, to whom I had a letter of introduction from Mr. C. T. Woodbury. We took his boat, which was longer than ours, in tow, and under his pilotage entered the docks. Mr. Thompson attended to the Custom House first, and putting a keeper in the Nautilus, and procuring a cab, pro

ceeded to attend to the inner as well as the outer man. We could not have had a better or more zealous friend, and we shall ever look upon him as only those in our condition can. It is holiday here for two days, and all the streets are gaily decorated with bunting of every description, and at night the public places are illuminated as only the French know how. The voyage of the Nautilus is over, and may she rest upon her laurels. We were three days from Land's End to Havre, making our time from Beverly to Havre forty-eight days.

We sleep to-night on a nice feather bed, while the Nautilus calmly reposes in Mr. Cooper's dry dock. The smallest vessel ever in Havre from America before the Nautilus was a schooner of 213 tons. So Mr. Thompson informed me, showing me her photograph. The weight of the Nau

hands ke then spins round and round, and ought to do it so fast that he creates a sort of whirlpool, of which he ocenpies the centre. It is rather a fatiguing business, and no one can keep up full speed for long.

SWIIMMNG LIKE A DOG is mentioned in It is only a sort of crawling movement, requirmost books, but is unworthy of description. ing no practice, and serving no purpose.

LYING DEAD-MAN is useful in giving confidence. I mostly employ it while teaching a pupil, so as to show him how perfectly the water will support the human body.

Lie on your back, pass your arms behind you, place the hands on the elbows of the opposite arm, keep the body straight, or slightly curved backwards, and the head between the shoulders as usual.

Do not move a muscle, but simply let yourself go, and you will find yourself suspended in the water, nearly upright, with the mouth and nostrils above the surface. As long as you do not move you cannot sink, and the only danger is that you may lose your balance and roll on one side, in which case you must put yourself right again by means of the hands.

If you like, cross the arms on the breast, or press them straight against the sides, and the result will be the same.

Next comes the STEAMER, a really pretty accomplishment when neatly executed. Lie on the back, point your feet as much as

possible, and then strike them alternately into the water, the knees being kept quite stiff, and the heels never more than six inches above the water. A propelling force on the screw principle is then established by the soles of the feet striking diagonally against the water, and the swimmer is driven forward at a fair pace. Hounslow, whom I have already mentioned, was unrivalled in the "steamer," and there were few ordinary swimmers whom he could not beat, they using the breast or side stroke and he steaming. I ran Hounslow closely in most points of swimming, but in steaming had no chance against him. He was a strangely-shaped man, as fat and round as a porpoise, and seemed to travel through the water in true porpoise fashion.

How he could hold his championship for so many years was really wonderful. That he could be exceptionally enduring and buoyant in the water was easily to be understood, but his speed was beyond all calculation.

Moreover, he had such a strange way of driving himself through the water. All other swimmers that I have seen made a succession of definite strokes, the speed being greatest at the beginning of each stroke, and lessening towards the end. But Hounslow used to rush steadily onwards, just as the porpoise does, with a perfectly uniform motion, sending the ripples curling ahead of him, his round, jovial, red face lying nearly flat on the surface. I hope that many who read these lines will remember that most genial of swimmers, and will recall their own futile attempts to imitate the inimitable "Hounslow rush.'

Even when lying on his back, and propelling himself feet forwards with his hands alone, Hounslow could get along at a wonderful pace.

I have often wished that the envied position of champion were not restricted to speed alone, self. A feat like that of Captain Webb's is, in possibly because I am not a swift swimmer mymy opinion, infinitely more deserving of the believed that speed in swimming depended very champion's belt than mere speed. I had long greatly on physical organisation, and was con firmed in my belief by Gurr's celebrated vic tory.

No one who saw that race for the championship can have forgotten the feeling of amusement that crossed his mind at seeing a little lad have the audacity to stand among the well-known stalwart men who were about to compete for the championship. Nor can he have forgotten

"Yes, sir," answered Rayner. "She's a large craft, too, foi I can only just see her royals rising above the horizon. She's standing in this direction." "Hand me the glass," said Mr. Saltwell. "You are right, youngster," he continued, looking through it. "I only hope that she may be one of our own cruisers, but it will be some time before that point can be decided."

After watching the approaching stranger for some time, the lieutenant and midshipman returned with the intelligence to the farmhouse where the captain and several of the other officers were quartered.

Hoping that she might be the Ione, Captain Martin ordered the first yawl to be got ready to go off to her. The crew were then mustered. Eight did not answer to their names. It was known how five had died, but what had become of the other three? At length it was whispered among the men that they had managed to get drinking the previous night, and had fallen below, stupefied by the smoke.

The men having breakfasted, the greater number hurried down to the shore to have a look at the stranger, now approaching under all sail.

Three cheers were uttered as the flag of England flew out at her peak. The captain immediately ordered Mr. Sterling to pull off to her, and to request that his officers and ship's company might be received on board.

near

"You will make sure before you get that she is English," he whispered. "The Frenchman may have a fancy to take some Spaniards prisoners, and would be better pleased to get hold of you."

Rayner went as midshipman of the boat, which made good way towards the frigate now lying hove to about three miles from the shore.

"What do you think of her, Noakes?" asked the lieutenant of the coxswain, as they got nearer.

The old seaman took a steady glance at the stranger, surveying her from truck to water-line.

"If she doesn't carry a British crew, the Frenchmen must have got hold of her since we parted company three days ago, and I don't think that's likely, or there would be not a few shot-holes in her canvas, and a pretty good sprinkling in her hull too," he answered, in a confident tone. "She's the Ione, sir, or I don't know a frigate from a Dutch dogger."

was with intense satisfaction that Captain Martin and those under him found themselves again on the deck of an English frigate.

Sail was at once made for Gibraltar, Malta not having at that time been taken possession of by the English. As the two ships' companies had to be stowed away below, they were compelled to pack pretty closely, but no one minded that, as they expected a speedy passage to the Rock, while the officers and crew of the storeship hoped immediately to be sent back to England.

It is too true a saying that "There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip." The Ione was about midway between the Spanish coast and Majorca, when, as morning broke, a number of ships were seen standing out from the direction of Minorca. At first it was supposed that they were part of the English fleet, but after two of the lieutenants had taken a careful survey of them from aloft, it was decided that they were French.

"They have seen us, and guess what we are," observed Captain Dickson to his brother captain. See, here come two frigates in chase. Turn the hands up and make sail!" he added, addressing the first lieutenant.

The crew were quickly aloft, and every stitch of canvas the Ione could set was packed upon her. There was no disgrace in running from so superior a force. The Ione was considered a good sailer, but the Frenchmen showed that they were still faster. Captain Dickson, however, had no intention of yielding his ship as long as he had a stick standing to escape with. Full of men as he now was, he hoped to beat off both his foes, though he could not expect to capture them in sight of an enemy's squadron. As they got nearer, a couple of guns were trained aft to serve as stern chasers, and every preparation was made to fight for life and liberty.

Another frigate and two line-of-battle ships were seen standing after the first, but they were so far astern, that should the Ione keep ahead, without having her masts and spars shot away, there might still be hopes of her escaping.

British seamen seldom wish to avoid a fight, but on the present occasion few on board were such fire-eaters as not to hope that they might keep well ahead of their foes.

"Where is your ship? was the first question the captain asked of the licu

tenant.

"There is all that remains of her," answered Mr. Sterling, pointing to the blackened ribs of the ship, which could be distinguished through a telescope near the shore, and he gave an account of what had happened.

Due regrets at the occurrence having been expressed, Captain Dickson saying that he had been induced to stand into the bay in consequence of hearing the sound of the explosion, at once ordered out all the boats, and in a few minutes they were pulling for the shore, accompanied by the yawl.

The Ione, meantime, was standing in somewhat nearer, to be ready to receive the crew of the store-ship on board.

No time was lost in embarking, and it

have to yaw, and this would enable her to gain on them, while she could fire without altering her course.

Jack and Tom every now and then got a glimpse of the enemy through the ports.

"I say, Jack, it isn't fair of those two fellows out there to be chasing us after all we have gone through. I was hoping to go home and see my father and ask him to get me placed on the quarter-deck. I shouldn't like to be killed till I've been made a midshipman-not that I should like it then."

"Don't you be talking nonsense about being made a midshipman. You've about as much chance as you have of being made port-admiral off hand," answered Jack, with more temper than he generally showed. "Of course you don't want to be killed-no more do I; but we must both be ready should it be God's will to call us in the way of duty."

At length the drum beat to quarters, by

"We're not quite within range of the mounseers' popguns yet," observed the boatswain, with a laugh. 'They must come closer before they can harm us." Do you think we can beat them off?" asked Rayner.

་་

"You may be very sure that we'll try pretty hard to do so,” answered the boatswain, in a confident tone. "I've heard of your doings aboard the Thisbe. We'll show you that the crew of the Ione are made of the same stuff."

As the two Frenchmen drew nearer, the desire of the British sailors to fight increased, and it was with a feeling of almost bitter disappointment, just as the Ione had fired her stern chasers, that the enemy were seen to haul their tacks aboard, in answer, apparently, to the signals made by the ships astern.

The general opinion was that the British fleet had appeared to the eastward. Whether or not this was the case it was impossible to say.

The Ione continued her course, and in a short time ran the enemy out of sight. On her arrival at Gibraltar the first intelligence Mr. Saltwell received was that he had been promoted to the rank of commander.

The very next day two ships came in from the fleet with despatches, which the Ione was directed to carry immediately to England.

As they were both short of bands, much to Captain Martin's annoyance a considerable number of his men were drafted on board them. Had other ships come in he would probably have lost many more. The Ione sailed immediately with the remainder, and he hoped that they would form the nucleus of a new crew for the Thisbe.

The Ione had a quick passage to Plymouth. On his arrival there, much to his disappointment, Captain Martin found that the Thisbe was not yet ready for sea.

Rayner was considering how to dispose of himself during the intermediate time. He did not expect that Mrs. Crofton would offer him a room, but he wished at all events to pay her and Mary a visit, as they had always shown so friendly a feeling towards him. When, however, she heard how he was situated, she insisted that he should take up his quarters with them.

"I do not require any payment, as I have no other lodger at present, and I am only too glad to have you," she said, in a kind tone.

Rayner thanked her very warmly, and accepted her offer.

"I dare say Captain Saltwell will come and see us as soon as he has time. I was delighted to hear that he had obtained his promotion, and I hope, Mr. Rayner, that you will soon get yours. You have surely served long enough to pass for a mate, and I would advise you to apply at once, that you may be ready for your lieutenancy."

"I am afraid that I should have but little chance of passing, but I'll try," said Rayner. "I am told the examinations are very stiff. If a midshipman doesn't answer every question put to him, he is turned back immediately."