“Very true,” exclaimed Vanslyperken; “he floated out to the Nab buoy and back again, when I—­” Here Mr Vanslyperken stopped short, and he felt a dread of supernatural powers in the lad, when he thought of what had passed and what he now heard.

“So they think my dog—­”

“De tyfel,” replied the corporal.

Vanslyperken was not very sorry for this, as it would be the dog’s protection; but at the same time he was not at all easy about Smallbones; for Mr Vanslyperken, as we have observed before, was both superstitious and cowardly.

“Water won’t hurt him, did you say, corporal?”

“Yes, mynheer.”

“Then I’ll try what a pistol will do, by heavens!” replied Vanslyperken.  “He threw my dog into the canal, and I’ll be revenged, if revenge is to be had.  That will do, corporal, you may go now,” continued Vanslyperken, who actually foamed with rage.

The corporal left the cabin, and it having occurred to Vanslyperken that he had not delivered the letters, he dressed himself to go on shore.

After having once more read through the letter of the fair widow, which, at the same time that it crushed all his hopes, from its kind tenour, poured some balm into his wounded heart, he sighed, folded it up, put it away, and went on deck.

“Pipe the gig away,” said Mr Vanslyperken.

“No pipe,” replied Short.

This reminded Mr Vanslyperken that Jemmy Ducks had left the ship, and vexed him again.  He ordered the word to be passed to the boat’s crew, and when it was manned he went on shore.  As soon as he arrived at the house of Lazarus, he knocked, but it was some time before he was admitted, and the chain was still kept on the door, which was opened two inches to allow a scrutiny previous to entrance.

“Ah! it vash you, vash it, good sar? you may come in,” said the Jew.

Vanslyperken walked into the parlour, where he found seated a young man of very handsome exterior, dressed according to the fashion of the cavaliers of the time.  His hat, with a plume of black feathers, lay upon the table.  This personage continued in his careless and easy position without rising when Vanslyperken entered, neither did he ask him to sit down.

“You are the officer of the cutter?” inquired the young man, with an air of authority not very pleasing to the lieutenant.

“Yes,” replied Vanslyperken, looking hard and indignantly in return.

“And you arrived yesterday morning?  Pray, sir, why were not those letters delivered at once?”

“Because I had no time,” replied Vanslyperken, sulkily.

“No time, sir; what do you mean by that?  Your time is ours, sir.  You are paid for it; for one shilling that you receive from the rascally government you condescend to serve and to betray, you receive from us pounds.  Let not this happen again, my sir, or you may repent it.”

Vanslyperken was not in the best of humours, and he angrily replied, “Then you may get others to do your work, for this is the last I’ll do; pay me for them, and let me go.”