He was told an auction was going on; so, in he went to see the fun, taking much interest in the biddings. Presently, a hogshead of claret was put up by the auctioneer, and, thinking this a good opportunity for laying in a stock for the mess, as we would be in commission probably in warm latitudes, for the next two or three years, when the wine would come in rather handy, Larkyns listened eagerly for the price and heard it offered at 12 pounds. This seemed a big sum, but, if the worst came to the worst, and his messmates grumbled at his extravagance, he thought, he could pay for it out of his own pocket, he thought; and so, in his impetuous way, he bid 12 pounds, 10 shillings, without waiting for anyone to make an offer, which no one doing, his sudden jump having paralysed the brokers present, to his great surprise and joy the wine was knocked down to him at the price he named. By-and-by, however, his joy was changed to grief; for, the auctioneer asked him for a cheque or a reference, when he found out that, instead of buying a single hogshead of claret, as he believed to be the case on bidding for it, he had purchased a whole consignment of the wine, of which the single specimen offered had been a sample--the transaction involved the outlay of more than 1500 pounds, which of course he could never pay, although he had the 12 pounds, 10 shillings he had offered, and a few pounds more in his pocket as well. Here was a pretty to-do; and, he was just wondering whether he should solve the Gordian knot by cutting and running, when, luckily, a man without a hat rushed in breathlessly from a neighbouring store, and coming up to the auctioneer, asked him if the wine was sold yet. "You're a bit too late," replied the master of the rostrum, pointing out Larkyns to his astonished gaze. "I have just knocked it down to this gentleman." "Indeed!" exclaimed the stranger. "At what?" "Twelve pounds, ten shillings." "Ah, that all?" cried the hatless individual; and, turning to Larkyns, he said with an entreating air, "I'll give you an advance of ten shillings a hogshead if you let me have it." Our caterer was quite bewildered. "I don't mind," he said at last, looking from the auctioneer to the stranger and back again to his creditor, who stood waiting for the 1500 pound cheque. "That is, if this gentleman here is satisfied." "Oh, that's all right," said the auctioneer. "I know Mr --, and his word is as good as his bond. He'll give you the difference between your bid and his present offer, and you'll gain something by the deal." "By Jove!" cried Larkyns. "I never thought of that, but I wanted some wine for the mess." "I daresay we can manage that," said the buyer, evidently pleased with his bargain, though had he known of my friend's mistake in time before he made his offer he might not have been so generous. "I'll tell you what I'll do, I will give you 50 pounds to take over the consignment, and a cask of the wine into the bargain."