I was surprised to find Captain Rowley, who was usually cheerful and gay, talking in this manner; but it did not become me to pursue the subject.  In a minute or two, we rose from table, and I heard the order given to the steward to report to the first-lieutenant as soon as the table was cleared away, that the cabin bulkheads might be removed.  Marble and I then passed below, into a canvass berth that had been made for him, where we could consult together without danger of interruption.  Just as we reached the place, the drum beat to quarters.  This carried nearly every one else on deck, and left us virtually alone.

“Well, Miles,” commenced Marble, “this v’y’ge will beat any other of our v’y’ges, and give it fifty.  We have been twice captured, once wrecked, have seen a fight, and are about to feel another.  What do you think patriotism, and republican vartoo, require us to do, in such a crisis?”

This was the first time I had ever heard my mate mention republicanism, his habits being certainly as much opposed to liberty, as those of Napoleon himself.  Although the reader probably will not understand the drift of his question, it was not lost on me.  I answered, therefore, like one who fully comprehended him.

“I am afraid, Moses,” said I, “there is very little republicanism in France just now, nor do I know that resemblance in governments makes nations friends.  Unless the resemblance be complete, I rather think they are more disposed to quarrel about the differences, than to allow the merits of the points of affinity.  As between England and France, however, since we are at peace with both, we Americans have nothing to do with their quarrels.”

“I thought that would be your idee, Miles, and yet it would be awkward to be in the midst of a fight, and take no part in it.  I’d give a hundred dollars to be on board that Frenchman, this minute.”

“Are you so much in love with defeat, as to wish to be flogged?”

“I don’t know how it is, but it goes ag’in the grain to take sides with a John Bull.”

“There is no necessity for taking sides with either, though we can remember how these people have saved our lives, how kind they have been to us, and that we have literally lived three months on their bounty.  Neb, I’m glad to see, makes fair weather of it, on the berth-deck.”

“Ay, there’s more in that than you dream of, perhaps.  Mr. Clements, the first-lieutenant of this ship, is a sly one; and he thinks more of a good seaman than some priests do of piety.  If I’m not greatly misled, he intends that Neb shan’t quit this ship till the peace.”

“How!  They surely cannot pretend that the black is an Englishman?”

“There are all kinds of Englishmen, black and white, when seamen grow scarce.  Hows’ever, there is no use in looking out for the worst—­we shall know all about it, when the ship gets in.  How are we to behave, Miles, in this here battle?  It goes ag’in my feelin’s to help an Englishman; and yet an old salt don’t like to keep under hatches, while powder is burning on deck.”