homage of the mighty Commodore, there is no telling; but just at
this juncture noble Jack was standing reverentially holding his
hat to his brow, like a man with weak eyes.

"Valiant Commodore," said he, at last, "this audience is indeed
an honour undeserved. I almost sink beneath it. Yes, valiant
Commodore, your sagacious mind has truly divined our object.
Liberty, sir; liberty is, indeed, our humble prayer. I trust your
honourable wound, received in glorious battle, valiant Comodore,
pains you less today than common."

"Ah! cunning Jack!" cried the Commodore, by no means blind to the
bold sortie of his flattery, but not at all displeased with it.
In more respects than one, our Commodore's wound was his weak side.

"I think we must give them liberty," he added, turning to Captain
Claret; who thereupon, waving Jack further off, fell into
confidential discourse with his superior.

"Well, Jack, we will see about it," at last cried the Commodore,
advancing. "I think we must let you go."

"To your duty, captain of the main-top!" said the Captain, rather
stiffly. He wished to neutralise somewhat the effect of the
Commodore's condescension. Besides, he had much rather the
Commodore had been in his cabin. His presence, for the time,
affected his own supremacy in his ship. But Jack was nowise cast
down by the Captain's coldness; he felt safe enough; so he
proceeded to offer his acknowledgments.