"At Cadiz, did you say?" enquired Frank. The Chobb nodded, and said--"You'll think it odd, perhaps; but I give you my honour I never saw so many tigers in my life as during the whole of that bombardment. I ought to remember it well, for I was in command of the batteries--three of twelve twenty-fours, and one of six thirty-twos." "But tigers are not found in Spain," observed Frank. "I beg your pardon," said The Chobb; "I did not say tigers. Did I say tigers, General Hosham?" "Certainly not; you said merino sheep. I remarked it particularly." "So did I," said the philanthropic attorney. "I will trouble you, sir," said The Chobb, twisting his mustaches, "to be a little more particular in your recollection of what I said. How could any person think I could talk such nonsense as to mention tigers in Spain?" "There are tigers in Mexico, though," observed the general, "and we must excuse our young friend if he confused between the two places. I was generalissimo, and remember the whole thing perfectly; and very bad broth they made. The Chobb," he added in a low tone to Frank, "is very touchy if any one interrupts him in his anecdotes. He has seen an immense deal of service though he is so young, and is very instructive and entertaining." Frank held his tongue, and listened the whole evening to the Mexican and Spanish recollections of the two warriors. His object was too nearly gained to throw it away by a quarrel with his new friends; and he played cards with them till a late hour, and lost, at the end of the evening, sixteen points. "We played guinea points," said The Chobb, rising to go away, he having always paid his losses in shillings, "and I will thank you for sixteen." "We were playing shilling points, you will remember," said Frank. "General Hosham," said The Chobb, "I merely appeal to you. What points were we playing?" "Does the other party refer it to me?" said the general, blandly smiling; "you may both depend on my unbiased decision." "Certainly, sir," said Frank; "there can't be a doubt upon the point." "You were certainly playing guinea points," said the general, "as I am a gentleman and a man of honour; but I think I know the origin of your mistake. You saw that I and my step-son George were playing shilling points; though I did most distinctly see you receive at the rate of guinea points from my friend and step-son, Colonel Chobb." Frank paid the money, and would have given ten times the amount, rather than forego the chance of seeing Alice. "And now good-night, my excellent friend and tenant," said the colonel; "and, by the by, will you allow me to borrow the ten-pound note of you I saw you take from your pocket? I wish to settle with the landlord as I go down stairs--I hate running up a bill at an inn; and besides, we can consider it a first instalment of your rent."