of a cask, as a general rule, diminishes if the tap is turned, without

any redress at the bung-hole. Carne ran off his contents too fast,

before he had arranged for fresh receipts; and all who have felt what

comes of that will be able to feel for him in the result.

But a further decrease was in store for him now. As the moon arose, the

wind got higher, and chopped round to one point north of west, raising a

perkish head-sea, and grinning with white teeth against any flapping of

sails. The schooner was put upon the starboard tack as near to the wind

as she would lie, bearing so for the French coast more than the English,

and making for the Vergoyers, instead of the Varne, as intended. This

carried them into wider water, and a long roll from the southwest

crossing the pointed squabble of the strong new wind.

"General," cried Charron, now as merry as a grig, and skipping to the

door of Carne's close little cabin, about an hour before midnight, "it

would afford us pleasure if you would kindly come on deck and give us

the benefit of your advice. I fear that you are a little confined down

here, and in need of more solid sustenance. My General, arise; there is

much briskness upon deck, and the waves are dancing beautifully in the

full moon. Two sail are in sight, one upon the weather bow, and the

other on the weather quarter. Ah, how superior your sea-words are

to ours! If I were born an Englishman, you need not seek far for a

successor to Nelson, when he gets shot, as he is sure to be before very

long."

"Get out!" muttered Carne, whose troubles were faintly illuminated by a

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