Elect your own manner of determining the dispute, sir; I hope, however, it will not be by your innate knowledge of mankind, which has already mistaken a captain of marines in the service of Congress, for a runaway lover, bound to some green place or other."

"You might just as well tweak my nose, sir!" said Borroughcliffe. "Indeed, I think it would be the milder reproach of the two! will you make your selection of these, sir? They were loaded for a very different sort of service, but I doubt not will answer on occasion."

་

"I am provided with a pair, that are charged for any service," returned Manual, drawing a pistol from his own belt, and stepping backward a few paces.

"You are destined for America, I know," said Borroughcliffe, who stood his ground with consummate coolness; "but it would be more convenient for me, sir, if you could delay your march for a single moment.

"Fire and defend yourself!" exclaimed Manual furiously, retracing his steps towards his

enemy.

The sounds of the two pistols were blended in one report, and the soldiers of Borroughcliffe and the marines all rushed to the place, on the sudden alarm. Had the former been provided with arms, it is probable a bloody fray would have been the consequence of the sight that both parties beheld on arriving at the spot, which they did simultaneously. Manual lay on his back, without any signs of life, and Borroughcliffe had changed his cool, haughty, upright attitude, for a recumbent posture, which was somewhat between lying and sitting

"Is the poor fellow actually expended ?" said the Englishman, in something like the tones of re

gret; "well, he had a soldier's metal in him, and was nearly as great a fool as myself!"

The marines had, luckily for the soldiers and their captain, by this time discovered the signs of life in their own commander, who had been only slightly stunned by the bullet which had grazed his crown, and who being assisted on his feet, stood a minute or two rubbing his head, as if awaking from a dream. As Manual came gradually to his senses he recollected the business in which he had just been engaged, and, in his turn, inquired after the fate of his antagonist.

"I am here, my worthy incognito," cried the other, with a voice of perfect good nature; "lying in the lap of mother Earth, and all the better for opening a vein or two in my right leg ;—though I do think that the same effect might have been produced without treating the bone so roughly!-But I opine that I saw you also reclining on the bosom of our common ancestor."

"I was down for a few minutes, I do believe," returned Manual; "there is the path of a bullet across my scalp !"

Humph! on the head!" said Borroughcliffe, dryly; "the hurt is not likely to be mortal, I see. -Well, I shall offer to raffle with the first poor devil I can find that has but one good leg, for who shall have both; and that will just set up a beggar and a gentleman!-Manual, give me your hand; we have drank together, and we have fought; surely there is nothing now to prevent our being sworn friends!"

"Why," returned Manual, continuing to rub his head, "I see no irremoveable objections-but you will want a surgeon? can I order any thing to be done? There go the signals again to embarkmarch the fellows down at quick time, sergeant; my

own man may remain with me, or, I can do altogether without assistance."

"Ah! you are what I call a well made man, my dear friend!" exclaimed Borroughcliffe ; " no weak points about your fortress! such a man is worthy to be the head of a whole corps, instead of a solitary company;-Gently, Drill, gently; handle me as if I were made of potter's clay;-I will not detain you longer, my friend Manual, for I hear signal after signal; they must be in want of some of your astonishing reasoning faculties to set them afloat.

Manual might have been offended at the palpable allusions that his new friend made to the firmness of his occiput, had not his perception of things been a little confused, by a humming sound that seemed to abide near the region of thought. As it was, he reciprocated the good wishes of the other, whom he shook most cordially by the hand, and once more renewed his offers of service, after exchanging sundry friendly speeches.

"I thank you quite as much as if I were not at all indebted to you for letting blood, thereby saving me a fit of apoplexy; but Drill has already despatched a messenger to B for a leech, and the lad may bring the whole dépôt down upon you.-Adieu, once more, and remember, that if you ever visit England again as a friend, you are to let me see you.' 99

"I shall do it without fail; and I shall keep you to your promise, if you once more put foot in America."

"Trust me for that; I shall stand in need of your excellent head to guide me safely among those rude foresters! Adieu; cease not to bear ine in your thoughts."

"I shall never cease to remember you, my good

friend,” returned Manual, again scratching the member, which was snapping in a manner that caused him to fancy he heard it. Once more these worthies shook each other by the hand, and again they renewed their promises of future intercourse; after which they separated like two reluctant loversparting in a manner that would have put to shame the friendship of Orestes and Pylades !

CHAPTER XIV.

Nay, answer me: stand, and unfold yourself."

Hamlet.

DURING the time occupied by the incidents that occurred after the Pilot had made his descent on the land, the Alacrity, now under the orders of Mr. Boltrope, the master of the frigate, lay off and on, in readiness to receive the successful mariners. The direction of the wind had been gradually changing from the north-east to the south, during the close of the day; and long before the middle watches of the night, the wary old seaman, who, it may be remembered, had expressed, in the council of war, such a determined reluctance to trust his person within the realm of Britain, ordered the man who steered the cutter to stand in boldly for the land. Whenever the lead told them that it was prudent to tack, the course of the vessel was changed; and in this manner the seamen continued to employ the hours in patient attendance on the adventurers. The sailing-master, who had spent the early years of his life as the commander of divers vessels employed in trading, was apt, like many men of his vocation and origin, to mistake the absence of refinement for the surest evidence of