cular, for each guest indulged in his favorite ditty to his own measure.
"The best friends must part:" and Dodge, with Raymond and Slinger, who had contrived to preserve a respectable state of sobriety, prepared to take their leave.
"Good night, Dodge—good night, old boy," Ruffin said to him; "mind how you navigate home with all that rhino in your pockets. Steer a straight course. I'd take care of you, only I'm thinking somebody else would have to look for me afterwards.—The weather is foggy, very."
"Talk of navigation," said Dodge, "Did you ever hear me spin the yarn of old Jock Lurcher's proficiency in the art?"
"No."
"Then I'll tell it.— Shall I tell it?" he said, looking round.
An universal assent was given by all who were capable of signifying as much.
"Jock Lurcher, then, lads, once sailed in the 'Teazer,' a very tidy craft, which is more than any one ever said of her skipper when they really came to know him, for he was an unmitigated brute. When in harbour his vessel was the picture of neatness; and although his men were hard worked, they did their duty with a will, for the captain was as amiable to them as a sucking dove. His passengers and their visitors were treated like princes—nothing was too good for them. The very choicest wine was at their service, and there was no stint of anything; but the captain was moderate in all things. Those who didn't know him would say, 'that Lurcher is something of a captain, so kind and considerate to his men, so humane to his passengers; it must be quite a treat to go a voyage with him.' The consequence was, that where he was not known he was never at a loss to obtain his full complement of passengers.
