muttered Vanslyperken, who never expected to see it again. "I'll treat you, ladies-treat you all to whatever you please.' "Bravo! that's spoken like a man," cried the virago, giving Vanslyperken a slap on the back which knocked the breath out of his body.

"Bravo!" exclaimed another, "that's what I call handsome; let's all kiss him, ladies."

Vanslyperken was forced to go through this ordeal, and then the door was unlocked, but carefully guarded, while the several orders were given.

"Who is to pay for all this?" exclaimed the landlady.
"This gentleman treats us all," replied the woman.
"Oh! very well-is it all right, sir?"

Vanslyperken dared not say no: he was in their power, and every eye watched him as he gave his answer; so he stammered out "Yes," and, in a fit of despair at the loss of his money, he threw himself into his chair, and meditated revenge.

"Give Mr. Vanslyperken his purse, Susan," said the prudent Moggy to the young woman who had taken it out of his pocket. The purse was returned, and, in a few minutes, the various liquors and mixtures demanded made their appearance, and the jollification commenced. Every one was soon quite happy, with the exception of Mr. Vanslyperken, who, like Pistol, ate his leek, swearing in his own mind he would be horribly revenged.

"Mr. Vanslyperken, you must drink my health in some of this punch." Vanslyperken compressed his lips, and shook his head. "I say yes, Mr. Vansly perken," cried the virago, looking daggers; "if you don't, we quarrel-that's all."

But Vanslyperken argued in his mind that his grounds of complaint would be weakened, if he partook of the refreshment which he had been forced to pay for, so he resolutely denied.

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"Von't you listen to my harguments, Mr. Vanslyperken?" continued the woman. Vell, then, I must resort to the last, which I never knew fail yet." The woman went to the fire and pulled out the poker, which was red hot, from between the bars. "Now then, my beauty, you must kiss this, or drink some punch;" and she advanced it towards his nose, while three or four others held him fast on his chair behind; the poker, throwing out a glow of heat, was within an inch of the poor lieutenant's nose: he could stand it no more, his face and eyes were scorched.

66 Yes, yes, ,"cried he at last, "if I must drink, then, I will. We will settle this matter by-and-by," cried Vanslyperken, pouring down with indignation the proffered glass.

Now, Susan, don't ill-treat Mr. Vanslyperken: I purtest against all ill-treatment."

"Ill-treat, Mrs. Salisbury! I am only giving him a lesson in purliteness."

Now, Mr. What-the-devil's-your-name, you must drink

off a glass of my burnt brandy, or I shall be jealous," cried another; "and when I am jealous I always takes to red-hot pokers." Resistance was in vain, the poker was again taken from between the bars, and the burnt brandy went down.

Again and again was Mr. Vanslyperken forced to pour down his throat all that was offered to him, or take the chance of having his nose burnt off.

“Is it not wrong to mix your liquors in this way, slyperken?" said Moggy, in bitter mockery.

Mr. Van

The first allowance brought in was now dispatched, and the bell rung, and double as much more ordered, to Vanslyperken's great annoyance; but he was in the hands of the Philistines. What made the matter worse, was, that the company grew every moment more uproarious, and there was no saying when they would stop.

"A song-a song-a song from Mr. Vanslyperken," cried one of the party.

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Hurrah! yes, a song from the jolly lieutenant."

I can't sing," replied Vanslyperken.

You shall sing, by the piper who played before Moses," said the virago; "if not, you shall sing out to some purpose;' and the red-hot poker was again brandished in her masculine fist, and she advanced to him, saying, “Suppose we hargue that point?

"Would you murder me, woman?"

"No; singing is no murder, but we ax a song, and a song we must have.'

"I don't know one-upon my honour I don't," cried Vanslyperken.

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Then, we'll larn you. And now you repeat after me." "Poll put her arms a-kimbo.' Sing-come, out with it." And the poker was again advanced.

"O God!" cried Vanslyperken.

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Sing, or by heavens I'll shorten your nose! Sing, I say," repeated the woman, advancing the poker so as actually to singe the skin.

"Take it away, and I will," cried Vanslyperken, breath

less.

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Well then, 'Poll put her arms a-kimbo.""

"Now

Poll put her arms a-kimbo,"" repeated Vanslyperken. "That's saying, not singing," cried the woman. again. 'At the admiral's house looked she.'"

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'At the admiral's house looked she,'" replied Vanslyperken, in a whining tone.

Thus, with the poker staring him in the face, was Vanslyperken made to repeat the very song for singing which he would have flogged Jemmy Ducks. There was, however, a desperate attempt to avoid the last stanza.

"Ill give you a bit of my mind, old boy;
Port Admiral, you be d-d."

Nothing but the tip of his nose actually burnt would have produced these last words; but fear overcame him, and at last they were repeated. Upon which all the women shouted and shrieked with laughter, except Moggy, who continued sipping her port wine.

"Your good health, Mr. Vanslyperken," said Moggy, drinking to him.

Vanslyperken wiped the perspiration off his forehead, and made no reply.

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You call yourself a gentleman, and not drink the health of the lady of the house!" cried virago Mrs. Slamkoe. "I'll hargue this point with you again."

The same never-failing argument was used, and Mr. Vanslyperken drank Mrs. Salisbury's health in a glass of the port wine which he was to have the pleasure of paying for.

"I must say, Mr. Vanslyperken," said Moggy," it was very hard for to wish to flog my poor Jemmy for singing a song which you have just now been singing yourself.”

"Did he want to flog your Jemmy for that?"

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Yes, he did indeed, ladies."

"Then as sure as I stand here, and may this punch be my poison, if he sha'n't beg your pardon on his knees. Sha'n't he, girls?" cried Mrs. Slamkoe.

"Yes, yes, that he shall, or we'll poke him with the poker." This was a dreadful threat, but the indignity was so great, that Vanslyperken attempted to resist. vain; he was forced to go on his knees, and ask Mrs. Salisbury's It was, however, in pardon.

now, pray

Indeed, ladies, I do not wish it," said Moggy; don't. Well, Mr. Vanslyperken, pardon granted; so now kiss and make friends."

Mr. Vanslyperken, surrounded now by furies rather than Bacchanalians, kissed Mrs. Salisbury.

"What in the world would you have me do,

cried he at last, driven to desperation.

you

she devils?"

"This is language for a gentleman!" said Mrs. Slamkoe. "They shall make you do nothing more," replied Moggy. I must retire, ladies-your freak's up. You know I never keep late hours. Ladies, I wish you all a very good night."

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Perhaps, Mr. Vanslyperken, you would wish to go. I'll send for the woman of the house that you may settle the bill; I think you offered to treat the company ?"

Vanslyperken grinned ghastly. The bell was rung, and while Mr. Vanslyperken was pulling out the sum demanded by the landlady, the ladies all disappeared.

Vanslyperken put up his diminished purse. "There is your sword, Mr. Vansly perken," said Moggy; who, during the

whole of the scene had kept up a retenue very different from her usual manners.

Vanslyperken took his sword, and appeared to feel his courage return-why not? he was armed, and in company with only one woman, and he sought revenge.

He rang the bell, and the landlady appeared.

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Landlady," cried Vanslyperken, you'll send for a constable directly. Obey me, or I'll put you down as a party to the robbery which has been committed. I say, a constable immediately. Refuse on your peril, woman; a king's officer has been robbed and ill-treated."

“Lauk-a-mercy! a constable, sir? I'm sure you've had a very pleasant jollification.'

"Silence, woman; send for a constable immediately.”

"Do you hear, Mrs. Wilcox ?" said Moggy, very quietly, "Mr. Vanslyperken wants a constable. Send for one by all means.'

"Oh! certainly, ma'am, if you wish it," said the landlady, quitting the room.

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Yes, you infamous woman, I'll teach you to rob and illtreat people in this way.'

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Mercy on me! Mr. Vanslyperken, why, I never interfered." Ay, ay, that's all very well; but you'll tell another story when you're all before the authorities.'

"Perhaps I shall," replied Moggy, carelessly. replied Moggy, carelessly. "But I shall now wish you a good evening, Mr. Vanslyperken."

Thereupon Mr. Vanslyperken very valorously drew his sword, and flourished it over his head. "You don't pass here, Mrs. Salisbury. No-no-it's my turn now.'

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Your turn now, you beast!" retorted Moggy. "Why, if I wished to pass, this poker would soon clear the way; but I can pass without that, and I will give you the countersign. Hark! a word in your ear, you wretch. You are in my power. You have sent for a constable, and I swear by my own Jemmy's little finger, which is worth your old shrivelled carcase, that I shall give you in charge of the constable.'

"Me!" exclaimed Vanslyperken.

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Yes, you, you wretch-you scum. Now I am going, stop me if you dare. Walls have ears, so I'll whisper. If you wish to send a constable after me, you'll find me at the house of the Jew Lazarus. Do you understand?"

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Vanslyperken started back as if an adder had come before him, his sword dropped out of his hand, he stood transfixed. May I go now, Mr. Vanslyperken, or am 1 to wait for the constable? Silence gives consent," continued Moggy, making a mock courtesy, and walking out of the room.

For a minute, Vanslyperken remained in the same position. At last, bursting with his feelings, he snatched up his sword, put it into the sheath, and was about to quit the room, when in came the landlady with the constable.

"You vants me, sir?" said the man.

"I did," stammered Vanslyperken,

"but she is gone." "I must be paid for my trouble, sir, if you please." Vanslyperken had again to pull out his purse; but this time he hardly felt the annoyance, for in his mind's eye his neck was already in the halter. He put the money into the man's hand without speaking, and then left the room, the landlady courtesying very low, and hoping that she soon should again have the pleasure of his company at the Wheatsheaf.

CHAPTER XXXI.

IN WHICH SNARLEYYOW AGAIN TRIUMPHS OVER HIS ENEMIES.

BUT we must return to the cabin, and state what took place during this long absence of the commander, who had gone on shore about three o'clock, and had given directions for his boat to be at the Point at sunset. There had been a council of war held on the forecastle, in which Corporal Van Spitter and Smallbones were the most prominent; and the meeting was held to debate whether they should or should not make one more attempt to destroy the dog; singular that the arguments and observations very nearly coincided with those made use of by Vanslyperken and his mother, when they debated how to get rid of Smallbones.

Water won't touch him, I sees that," observed Smallbones.

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'No. Mein Gott, das was to trow time and de trouble away," replied the corporal.

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Hanging's just as natural a death for a cur," observed Spurey.

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Yes," observed Short.

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"I'm afeared that the rope's not laid that's to hang that animal," observed Coble, shaking his head. If water won't do, I'm persuaded nothing will, for did not they use, in former days, to lay all spirits in the Red Sea ?

"Yes," quoth Short.

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But he ban't a spirit yet," replied Smallbones; "he be flesh and blood o' some sort. If I gets fairly rid of his body, d-n his soul, I say; he may keep that and welcome."