“What, is it a festival?”

“So help me Gad, I no know, sar.”

“Is there any one on board of the other vessels?”

“Eberybody gone on shore. Suppose they have black man, he stay on board.”

“Good night, Pompey.”

“Good night, sar. Who I say call when captain come on board?”

“Captain Easy.”

“Captain He-see, very well, sar.”

Our hero pulled to another ship, and found it equally deserted; but at the third he found the second mate with his arm in a sling, and from him they gained the information that it was a great festival, being the last day of the carnival; and that every one was thinking of nothing but amusement.

“I’ve a notion,” said the mate, in reply, “that you’re American.”

“You’ve guessed right,” replied Jack.

“What ship, and from what port?”

“Rhode Island, the Susan and Mary,” replied Gascoigne.

“I thought you were north. We’re of New York. What news do you bring?”

“Nothing,” replied he; “we are from Liverpool last.”

A succession of questions was now put by the American mate, and answered very skilfully by Gascoigne, who then inquired how the market was?

It was necessary to make and reply to all these inquiries before they could ask apparently indifferent questions of American traders; at last, Gascoigne inquired,—

“Do you think they would allow us to go on shore? the pratique boat has not been on board.”

“They’ll never find you out if you are off before day-light; I doubt if they know that you are anchored. Besides, from Liverpool you would have a clean bill of health, and if they found it out, they would not say much; they’re not over particular, I’ve a notion.”

“What are those vessels lying inshore?”

“I guess, they have olive oil on board, the chief on ’em. But there are two double lateens come in from Valparaiso the day before yesterday, with hides and copper. How they ’scaped the British, I can’t tell, but they did, that’s sure enough.”

“Good night, then.”

“You won’t take a glass of sling this fine night, with a countryman?”

“To-morrow, my good fellow, to-morrow; we must go on shore now.”