He shook hands with Monsieur Dubois; and congratulated him upon the restoration of Louis the Eighteenth.

I mentioned to him Monsieur Dubois’ intention of proceeding immediately to France.  “He’s right,” cried he; “let every man stick to his King and his country; and I say”—­he suddenly checked himself, and beckoning me aside, continued in an under tone—­“Andrew, you understand this Mounseer better than I do; he appears a good fellow in the main:  if he should want a lift, to fit him out for the voyage, or any thing of that sort, tell him Corny Crobble will lend him a hand, for old acquaintance sake; I shan’t stick at a matter of forty or fifty pound—­you understand—­put it to him, as a matter of business; for that’ll suit his proud stomach best, perhaps”—­then, turning to Monsieur, he said, “Excuse whispering before company, Mounseer Dubois.  Good morning.”

“Bon jour, Monsieur,” replied Dubois, making my obese governor one of his most graceful bows.

I was highly gratified at being selected as the medium of this generous offer; which Monsieur Dubois received without hesitation, as one who intended to repay it; but, at the same time, with the most grateful acknowledgments of Mr. Crobble’s considerate kindness.

CHAPTER XVII.—­Promotion.

“I, think there must be something wrong about your rowing,”

“My rowing!” cried I; “nonsense!—­it’s because you don’t steer right.”

“I remember, when I was a young man, I once took a fancy to rowing,” said Mr. Crobble one day to me.  “I wasn’t then quite so round as I am at present.  Cousin Tom and I hired a wherry, but somehow we found we didn’t make much way.  Tom was steering, and I took the sculls, sitting my back to him like a gaby!”

“I, think there must be something wrong about your rowing,” said Tom.

“My rowing!” cried I; “nonsense!—­it’s because you don’t steer right.  Well, at last a waterman came alongside, and grinning (the fellow couldn’t help it) good-naturedly, pointed out the cause of our dilemma; at which we both laughed heartily.  Ever since that time I’ve been of opinion, that unless people, ‘who row in the same boat,’ understand each other, they’ll never get along—­”

I smiled at this lengthy prologue, not conceiving to what it could possibly lead.

“Now, Mr. Andrew,” resumed he, “I mean to be very industrious, and devote a whole day to giving you an insight into the business; after which I expect you’ll pull away, while I only steer, which will suit me to a T—­, you understand.”

“Exactly, sir,” I replied; and, in consequence, he really set about the task; and I soon acquired sufficient knowledge in the business, as not only to row in the same boat with him, but, what was still more agreeable to my patron’s indolence, to manage the “craft” without his assistance.