Chapter 7 - Page 2

some thing like a correspondent demonstration in all its fellows. This
rigid and well-regulated personage, after making a formal military bow to
his superior, helped himself to a chair, in which, after some little time
lost in preparation, he seated himself in silence. The Rover seemed
conscious of his presence; for he acknowledged his salute by a gentle
inclination of his own head; though he did not appear to think it
necessary to suspend his ruminations the more on that account. At length,
however, he turned short upon his companion, and said abruptly,--

"General, the campaign is not finished."

"What remains? the field is won, and the enemy is a prisoner."

"Ay, your part of the adventure is well achieved, but much of mine remains
to be done. You saw the youth in the lower cabin?"

"I did."

"And how find you his appearance?"

"Maritime."

"That is as much as to say, you like him not."

"I like discipline."

"I am much mistaken if you do not find him to your taste on the
quarter-deck. Let that be as it may, I have still a favour to ask of you!"

"A favour!--it is getting late."

"Did I say 'a favour?' there is duty to be yet done."

"I wait your orders."

"It is necessary that we use great precaution for, as you know"----

"I wait your orders," laconically repeated the other.

The Rover compressed his mouth, and a scornful smile struggled about the
nether lip; but it changed into a look half bland, half authoritative, as
he continued,--

"You will find two seamen, in a skiff, alongside the ship; the one is
white, and the other is black. These men you will have conducted into the
vessel--into one of the forward state-rooms--and you will have them both
thoroughly intoxicated."

"It shall be done," returned he who was called the General, rising, and
marching with long strides towards the door of the cabin.

"Pause a moment," exclaimed the Rover; "what agent will you use?"

"Nightingale has the strongest head but one in the ship."

"He is too far gone already. I sent him ashore, to look about for any
straggling seamen who might like our service; and I found him in a tavern,
with all the fastenings off his tongue, declaiming like a lawyer who had
taken a fee from both parties Besides, he had a quarrel with one of these
very men, and it is probable they would get to blows in their cups."

"I will do it myself. My night-cap is waiting for me; and it is only to
lace it a little tighter than common."

The Rover