“This is the commission of a brig!”

“True, true.  I have given you the wrong paper.  I believe you will find this more accurate.”

“This is truly a commission for the ‘good ship Seven Sisters;’ but you surely carry more than ten guns, and, then, these in your cabin throw nine instead of four pound shot!”

“Ah! you are as precise as though you had been the barrister, and I the blundering seaman.  I dare say you have heard of such a thing as stretching a commission,” continued the Captain drily, as he carelessly threw the parchment back among a pile of similar documents.  Then, rising from his seat, he began to pace the cabin with quick steps, as he continued, “I need not tell you, Mr Wilder, that ours is a hazardous pursuit.  Some call it lawless.  But, as I am little addicted to theological disputes, we will wave the question.  You have not come here without knowing your errand.”

“I am in search of a birth.”

“Doubtless you have reflected well on the matter and know your own mind as to the trade in which you would sail.  In order that no time may be wasted and that our dealings may be frank, as becomes two honest seamen, I will confess to you, at once, that I have need of you.  A brave and skilful man, one older, though, I dare say, not better than yourself occupied that larboard state-room, within the month; but, poor fellow, he is food for fishes ere this.”

“He was drowned?”

“Not he!  He died in open battle with a King’s ship!”

“A King’s ship!  Have you then stretched your commission so far as to find a warranty for giving battle to his Majesty’s cruisers?”

“Is there no King but George the Second!  Perhaps she bore the white flag, perhaps a Dane.  But he was truly a gallant fellow; and there lies his birth, as empty as the day he was carried from it, to be cast into the sea.  He was a man fit to succeed to the command, should an evil star shine on my fate, I think I could die easier, were I to know this noble vessel was to be transmitted to one who would make such use of her as should be.”

“Doubtless your owners would provide a successor in the event of such a calamity.”

“My owners are very reasonable,” returned the other, with a meaning smile, while he cast another searching glance at his guest, which compelled Wilder to lower his own eyes to the cabin floor; “they seldom trouble me with importunities, or orders.”

“They are indulgent!  I see that flags were not forgotten in your inventory:  Do they also give you permission to wear any one of all those ensigns, as you may please?”

As this question was put, the expressive and understanding looks of the two seamen met.  The Captain drew a flag from the half-open locker, where it had caught the attention of his visiter, and, letting the roll unfold itself on the deck, he answered,—­