It was now in the dusk of evening, the Two Marys was shaping her course for the north shore, the wind had subsided, and the sea moved lazily along in unbroken swells.  Supper was announced, and Major Roger Potter hastened into the cabin, saying:  “It is as well that we eat, for though I feel a qualm coming over me now and then, which seriously disturbs my temper, I must not forget that food may cure the ills of my head.”  Having cast several scrutinizing glances over the humble fare Luke’s wife had prepared, and for the quality of which she offered innumerable excuses, saying they were yet poor, and could not afford better, the major rolled his little blinking eyes upwards, laid his hat carefully upon the locker, and with one of his best fashioned bows, and in obedience to what true gallantry demanded, bestowed upon Luke’s wife a compliment which, I venture to say, there is nothing upon record to compare with it, though such things are exceedingly cheap with the profession of which he claimed to be so renowned a member.  “Madam,” said he, clasping his hands over his belly, the globular of which had changed somewhat, “though I am a politician and a soldier, both of which professions require the exercise of great understanding, I can dispense courtesies when they are deserved.  The supper you have here set out is fit for a prince, and worthy of you as the wife of our gallant commander.  In truth, madam, I have long held that there is no office in which woman can so well display the greatness of her power, as in the preparation of a good supper, and this art I would have them perfect, instead of writing sensation novels for publishers, who think of nothing but setting the nation by the ears, and putting money in their pockets.  If she be good at working a shirt, heavens! but she will be a blessing to the man who weds her, for our fashionable damsels can neither knit nor sew, and seem fit only for putting carefully away in glass cases.”  Captain Luke listened to the delivery of this speech with dogged silence.  In truth, he harbored a suspicion that military men were a little too free with their courtesies to other men’s wives, and that it was just as well to keep a jealous eye upon them.  He therefore desired the major to sit down and eat such as was set before him, and thank God, for such was better than wasting so much ceremony.

“I see, sir,” returned the major, “that you do not draw your logic from experience, for to praise that which is good, and not that which is bad, as our critics do, is to prove yourself a well bred gentleman.”  The major having concluded his reply, drew from his pocket a metal comb, and commenced combing his coarse red beard, when after he had arranged it to his satisfaction, he took a seat at the table, where he devoured the viands with such evident appetite as to surprise and astonish every one present.  And this further increased the captain’s dislike of him, for it concerned him much, lest his stores run out ere his voyage was at an end.  As for the