through his gills, the other end of the cord made fast to the stern of the boat, and our friend was permitted to tow behind. Other "fish followed, and at the end of two hours "our stock comprised three rock fish, two "porghy, four groupers, a shark, about three feet long, and one or two nondescript crea"tures. Nothing, however, was under thirty "Ibs. We did not forget to refresh ourselves, "and chicken and beef sandwiches were "washed down with champagne cup. No one was ill-rather a rare feature let me "tell you, tossing as we were on the ocean "swell-and our soldiers' wind held out until our return to the gallant craft's moorings. 66 "P.S.—I am sorry to say that I have just "heard old Wig is ordered to Jamaica. He "does so many extraordinary things that he "keeps us quite alive, and is easily shut up "when he becomes really troublesome." Seymour writes amusingly "-observed Nott; and the party very soon afterwards dispersed. CHAPTER XV. A WARNING. "More firm and sure the hand of courage strikes, THOMPSON. WE left Seymour on his way to the Engineeroffice, to draw a plan; afterwards he met Fordbrad, by appointment, at the Early Riser moorings, to sail over to Cooper's Island, and have a try for some sandpipers. "Well, old fellow," said Fordbrad, "How goes the little girl? You are coming it rather strong; for you danced six times with her at the mess dance, and at that solemn party, at old Wig's, hardly left her all the evening. You are really a nice fellow. I shall have to send an account of your doings to Strange Hall." "It's all very fine," retorted Seymour; "I like ladies' society. In fact, I often prefer it to men's, as their thoughts and ideas are more refined; and I do not see why I may not talk and dance with a pretty girl, who is engaged to be married, without all the old women making a fuss about it." "The old women are so awfully jealous," observed Fordbrad, "particularly those who can't get married, that they cannot bear to see people enjoy themselves, and imagine, or spread a report, that a fellow's in love with a girl, if he happens to visit at her father's house and dance pretty often with her." "It's very true," said Seymour. "I wish the old women who have been gossiping about me had a padlock put on their tongues." "You partly deserve it, Seymour," said Fordbrad, "you should do as I do-visit at half-a-dozen houses where there are young ladies-and, as we are not Mormons, and the laws of our country do not allow us to possess more than one wife, I am far less assailed by the breath of slander than you are." 66 Yes, the worst of it is you cannot pitch into a woman. If I knew any man had been connecting me with Miss Wilson we should have had a row." "It's no use getting vicious, old fellow," said Fordbrad. "The young lady has a governor, who is quite capable of pitching into any one, and though I believe you and he will have a row before you have done, still you are all right at present, as Miss Wilson is publicly acknowledged to be engaged to some fellow in the navy." "She began hinting to me the other day that she had been hearing tales about him. I did not pay much attention, but I told her she ought not to listen to tales against him without letting him have an opportunity of clearing himself." It strikes me," said Fordbrad, "in fact, it has been my notion for a long time, that she is a preciously sly girl. In the meantime, old fellow, if you don't mean business, the best thing for you to do is to keep the young lady up to her engagement. Cannot you throw in a word of advice about the propriety of keeping promises, &c. But, to speak of something else, how are you and old Wig getting on?" Oh, so and so"-said Seymour. "I never did see such a man as he is. Although he is such a big man out here, he is generally fighting with some one, and the old fool always gets the worst of it." “I "I think I understood you that they had not the highest opinion of him in America,” replied Fordbrad. "Yes," said Seymour, "a fellow whom we both know-perhaps better not to mention names went to the office in Boston before he came here, to ask some questions, and get what information he could about old Wig; and amongst other things asked what sort of a fellow he was? The swell at the office, he told me, burst out laughing, and pointed to two or three pigeon-holes, and said, 'There are some of his reports.' As far as he could see they had been docketed read, and left there." "That's a fine idea," said Fordbrad, light. ing a cigar." Have a weed, old follow?" continued he, handing his cigar case to Seymour, "they are some of a lot that Rainsome, of the flag ship, brought me from Havanah the |