It is as well to say nothing to the crew about it, but I think it my duty to lay the matter before the club committee, and they can do as they like about it.

Mind, I don't say for a moment that it was done by anyone on board the Phantom.

It may have been someone on shore who had laid a bet of a few pounds against us, and wanted to make sure of winning his money.

Besides, the Phantom might very well have hoped to have beaten us fairly, for she was just as much fancied as we were.

Take it below, and lay it in my cabin, and when we get in unshackle the other bit of the bar, and put it with this." It was impossible, however, when the bowsprit and bobstay were brought on board, that the crew should have failed to notice the break in the bar, and the news that there had been foul play had at once been passed round.