residence of the British consul, with a crescent moon to light him on his way. He had just issued from the garden gate, when an old man, clad in a half-monkish robe, advanced towards him with strides that would have done credit to a dragoon.
"I've me doubts that yer not so ancient as ye look, owld feller," he said, eyeing the man keenly as he drew near, and moving the head of the thick stick, which, as usual, rested in his pocket, as if to hold it in readiness for instant action.
"Be the Breetish consul at home?" said the old man in broken English and in breathless haste.
"Not at present," answered the seaman quickly, for he now saw that the man was really old, and that anxiety had given him strength to exert himself beyond his ordinary powers, "but I'm goin' to meet him—bein', if I may so spake, his edgedukong. Av you've anything in the world to say to his Excellency I'm your man to carry the message."
"You are Breetish sailor, I zee," returned the old man, sitting down and heaving a deep sigh, as if unable to recover breath. "You will onderstan' when I say your Lord Exmouth do come quickly for bombard de city!"
"Onderstand you—is it?" exclaimed Ted, with sudden excitement. "Faix do I, but I don't belave ye."
"Man!" said the other, with an earnest look,
