"Stay," said Barnabas, "pray tell me to whom I am indebted for so

much good instruction."

"My name, sir, is Chumly--plain Chumly--spelt with a U and an

M, sir; none of your olmondeleys for me, sir, and I beg you to

know that I have no crest or monogram or coat of arms; there's

neither or, azure, nor argent about me; I'm neither rampant, nor

passant, nor even regardant. And I want none of your sables, ermines,

bars, escallops, embattled fiddle-de-dees, or dencette tarradiddles,

sir. I'm Chumly, Captain John Chumly, plain and without any

fashionable varnish. Consequently, though I have commanded many good

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ships, sloops, frigates, and even one Seventy-four--"

"The 'Bully-Sawyer,' Trafalgar!" added the Bo'sun.

"Seeing I am only John Chumly, with a U and an M, I retire still a

captain. Now, had I clapped in an olmondeley and the rest of the

fashionable gewgaws, I should now be doubtless a Rear Admiral at the

very least, for the polite world--the World of Fashion is rampant,

sir, not to mention passant and regardant. So, if you would achieve

a reputation among Persons of Quality nowadays--bow, sir, bow

everywhere day in and day out--keep a supple back, young sir, and

spell your name with as many unnecessary letters as you can. And as

regards my idea of a gentleman, he is, I take it, a man--who is

gentle--I say good morning, young sir." As he ended, the Captain

took off his hat, with his remaining arm put it on again, and then

reached out, suddenly, and clapped Barnabas upon the shoulder.

"Here's wishing you a straight course, lad," said he with a smile,

every whit as young and winning as that which curved the lips of

Barnabas, "a fair course and a good, clean wind to blow all these

fashionable fooleries out of your head. Good-by!" So he nodded,

turned sharp about and went upon his way.

Hereupon the Bo'sun shook his head, took off the glazed hat, stared

into it, and putting it on again, turned and stumped along beside

Barnabas.




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