"Ah! les Anglais!—'combien'—how motch 'reconnaissance?'" said he, "I vill have for them! I sall them forget nevare!"
Mr. Crobble interrupted our colloquy. "All right t'other side the channel, Mounseer," cried be, elated; "we've licked Boney: he's done up; stocks are up; and Timmis, (your old master, Andrew) is as busy as a bee—only he's making money instead of honey!"
He shook hands with Monsieur Dubois; and congratulated him upon the restoration of Louis the Eighteenth.
I mentioned to him Monsieur Dubois' intention of proceeding immediately to France. "He's right," cried he; "let every man stick to his King and his country; and I say"—he suddenly checked himself, and beckoning me aside, continued in an under tone—"Andrew, you understand this Mounseer better than I do; he appears a good fellow in the main: if he should want a lift, to fit him out for the voyage, or any thing of that sort, tell him Corny Crobble will lend him a hand, for old acquaintance sake; I shan't stick at a matter of forty or fifty pound—you understand—put it to him, as a matter of business; for that'll suit his proud stomach best, perhaps"—then, turning to Monsieur, he said, "Excuse whispering before company, Mounseer Dubois. Good morning."
"Bon jour, Monsieur," replied Dubois, making my obese governor one of his most graceful bows.
I was highly gratified at being selected as the medium of this generous offer; which Monsieur Dubois received without hesitation, as one who intended to repay it; but, at the same time, with the most grateful acknowledgments of Mr. Crobble's considerate kindness.
CHAPTER XVII.—Promotion.
"I, think there must be something wrong about your rowing,"
"My rowing!" cried I; "nonsense!—it's because you don't steer right.
"I, think there must be something wrong about your rowing,"
"My rowing!" cried I; "nonsense!—it's because you don't steer right.