But, on his return, when they flocked round him for their various articles, to their surprise he had only answered the order of one of them.

Upon their expressing their disappointment he addressed them thus: 'Ladies,' said he, 'I have to inform you of a most unlucky accident that occurred to your orders.

I was not unmindful of them, I assure you; so one fine day I took your orders all out of my pocketbook and arranged them on the top of the companionway, but, just as they were all arranged, a sudden gust of wind took them all overboard.' 'Aye, a very good excuse,' they exclaimed.

'How happens it that Mrs .-- --'s did not go overboard, too ?' 'Oh!' said the captain, 'Mrs .-- -- had fortunately enclosed in her order some dozen doubloons which kept the wind from blowing hers away with the rest.' "Now, friend Lovering, I have no idea of having my new order blown overboard, so I herewith send by the hands of my young friend and pupil, Mr.R.Hubbard, whom I also commend to your kind notice, ten golden half-eagles to keep my order down.".