"'I don't know who you are, sir,' says he, taking off his hat in his dandified French way, 'but I'm sure I owe you my best thanks. If it hadn't been for you, I hardly know how I should have managed.'
"Well, of course I knew very well who he was, and what he was after. But I knew the boat was sinking, and I saw he couldn't row. So I never thought he'd reach the ship. Still the longer I kept him talking, the better your chance. So—
"'You're very welcome, sir,' says I. 'Won't you step ashore and thank me in person?'
"'I'm grieved to the heart,' says he, 'but I must postpone that pleasure till another day. Perhaps we shall meet again. I hope to return in a few weeks—not alone next time.'
"'Quite so,' thinks I, 'at the head of the Army of England. No you don't, my fine fellow, not if I can keep you messing about there a few minutes longer.'
"'And perhaps we have met before,' says I, taking off my hat.
"He peered at me in the moonlight.
"'What!' he cries—'not my old friend, Black Cock, again?'
"'The same at your service,' says I, 'still waiting to have his comb cut.'
"'This is a great happiness,' says he, very earnest, and paddles in a bit.