278 MARTIN RATTLER.

ships many a time. My name’s Barney O’Flannagan,
at yer sarvice.”

“Ah! I recollect; and a good man you are, I’ve
been told, Barney. But I have lost sight of you for
some years. Been on a long voyage, I suppose ?”

“ Well, not ’xactly ; but I’ve been on a long cruise,
an’ no mistake, in the woods o’ Brazil. I wos wrecked
on the coast there, in the Firefly.”

“Ah! to be sure. Iremember, And your young
messmate here, was he with you ?”

« Yes, sir, I was,” said Martin, answering for him-
self; “and I had once the pleasure of your acquaint-
ance. Perhaps if you look steadily in my face you
may—”

“Ah, then! don’t try to bamboozle him. He
might as well look at a bit o’ mahogany as at your
faygur-head. Tell him at wance, Martin, dear.”

“ Martin ?” exclaimed the puzzled old gentleman,
seizing the young sailor by the shoulders and gazing
intently into his face. “Martin! Martin! Surely
not—yes! eh? Martin Rattler ?”

“ Ay, that am I, dear Mr. Jollyboy, safe and sound,
and—~”

Martin’s speech was cut short in consequence of
his being violently throttled by Mr. Jollyboy, who

flung his arms round his neck and staggered reck-