and a small young lady in frilled trousers, with
a spade in one hand and a cake in the other,
sets his back against the wall-sided Swallow
and edges her into the wave. The brown-faced
men jump on board, and off she does go. But
on her return with her pale freight, Streaky is
found on the beach, so manifestly expectant
of a shilling that the demoralised beings he
assists to land will change a sovereign to give it
him?

The result is identical if, on the next occasion,
the visitor pointedly demands Streaky's
own boat for a row. In accordance with the
universal rule, Streaky exhibits the most marked
reluctance to enter the craft, supposed to be
his own; but at length, and on protest, does so,
accompanied by a mysterious individual who
not two seconds before was invisible. This
person uses his oar with a careless professional
air; but never utters a sound, saving once,
when, at a jocular remark from one of the
company, he gives vent to a sort of hoarse whinny,
like a colt with a cold, and immediately resumes
his fixed expression. On the boat's return, the
strange man stalks silently away, and Streaky
receives the money, but with such a look
of discontent that the customer is provoked
to ask:

"Well, what's the matter? Isn't that right?"

"Yes, sir, all right. We doesn't get much out
of this here."

"What do you mean? Isn't the boat yours?"

"Well, sir, 'tis actiwally Tim's Pardner's. The
Shepherd's out a fishing with mine."

In like manner, every attempt—however well
planned—to embark in Tim's boat results in a
voyage in the Shepherd's, which, eventually turning
out to be chartered on behalf of Bubs, has
been remitted by that gentleman to Jarsper,
the entire proceeds waiting in the coffers of the
Pardner, who graciously permits Messrs. Jarsper,
Shepherd, Tim, Streaky, and Bubs to appropriate
to themselves whatever extra coin any gel'man
will "rise."

Jarsper, and occasionally Bubs, had an
inconvenient habit of fixing upon you in the full tide
of fashion that swept the esplanade, and if you
sought to fend them off with a nod and a
quickened step, defeating this manœuvre by
promptly turning, adapting their faces to yours,
and plunging at once into topics weathery and
fishy.

"Jarsper," I said, impressively, on one of
these occasions, halting suddenly, " business
has been slack of late. That there are rock-
whiting to be caught on what you call the
Finny-ground, I make no question. Porpoises
were off the pier on Thursday, and I hope that
the structure and general appearance of that
edifice met with their entire approval. If any
gentleman—I don't think he will—should step
across the walk, and beg your acceptance of five
shillings, it might, or might not, go towards the
purchase of a new 'spritsle.' But, as these
matters are really your concern, not mine, as I
can neither take a reach off, nor rise half-a-crown,
it is in your own interests that I strongly advise
you to resume your natural position off the old
ship, and keep a bright look-out for other
victims than he who has now the honour of
wishing you good morning."

Jarsper did not understand me. I did not
expect he would. But, in his astonishment, he
allowed me to walk quietly away, nor did he
ever again offer to disturb my promenade.

It was in consequence of this delicacy that I
selected Jarsper as the especial custodian of the
Eveleen Brown (born Barberina), on the
express understanding that the mysterious Pardner
should be entirely excluded from the business.
Moreover, I had known Jarsper from my childhood,
a period which he seemed to consider had
not fully elapsed, his manner still retaining
some tinge of that patronage which had directed
my marine studies in earlier years. Jarsper
could never comprehend the mighty change
which lies between twelve years old and
twenty.

"Pull to yer, Dick!" bawled Jarsper, one
day, to a dashing lieutenant of dragoons, whom
he had last seen as a boy with turn-down
collars. ("Dick" and I were taking a reach
off, in Jarsper's, that is, Tim's Pardner's boat,
in memory of old times, and my friend was
steering.)

"Confound his impudence!" growled the
gallant officer in my ear. " At least, he might
have said 'keep her away.'"

Although the Eveleen Brown cost but ten
pounds to buy, she cost thirty-five to repair.
She wanted so many new things, that, upon the
whole, it would have been more economical to
have sunk her and built another. When all
was done, her propensity for admitting the
ocean was as strong as ever. I never saw such
a vessel; the water seemed to enter through the
solid boards.

"Pay her well," suggested Jarsper; "you
can't do nuthen more."

I did pay her, and Jarsper too; but the
Eveleen Brown defied pitch, and leaked away as
merrily as ever. Paying did not pay. All I
could do was to provide the means of pumping;
and as the Eveleen, to do her justice, drank
with great regularity, and never required pumping
under three-quarters of an hour, I knew
exactly when it became necessary to examine
the well.

My great delight was to go out entirely
alone. As the sheets all led aft, I was able
to trim and manage my sails without quitting
the helm. Many and many a day have I thus
spent upon the waters, and if I did not
actually—

                               Watch all night to see unfold
Heaven's gates, and (Ethon snort his morning gold,

I was, at all events, not long behind that fiery
steed—often, weather permitting, not returning
shore till dusk.

One drawback to these excursions was the
perpetual putting forth of a small fleet of boats,
on pretence that I and my little craft were in
need of assistance. Whenever I saw these
speculative salvors bearing down upon me, I