"How do you mean--were you wrecked then?" "Not my ship, Mr Simple, but my peace of mind was for some time; but it's many years ago, when I was first made boatswain of a corvette" (during this conversation he was looking through the telescope); "yes, there it is," said he; "I have it in the field. Look, Mr Simple, do you see a small church, with a spire of glazed tiles, shining like a needle?" "Yes, I do." "Well, then, just above it, a little to the right, there is a long white house, with four small windows--below the grove of orange-trees." "I see it," replied I; "but what about that house, Mr Chucks?" "Why, thereby hangs a tale," replied he, giving a sigh, which raised and then lowered the frill of his shirt at least six inches. "Why, what is the mystery, Mr Chucks?" "I'll tell you, Mr Simple. With one who lived in that house, I was for the first, and for the last time, in love." "Indeed! I should like very much to hear the story." "So you shall, Mr Simple. One evening, I was walking in the Plaza, when I saw a female a-head, who appeared to be the prettiest-moulded little vessel that I ever cast my eyes on. I followed in her wake, and examined her; such a clean run I never beheld--so neat, too, in all her rigging--everything so nicely stowed under hatches. And then, she sailed along in such a style, at one moment lifting so lightly, just like a frigate, with her topsails on the caps, that can't help going along. At another time, as she turned a corner sharp up in the wind-- wake as straight as an arrow--no leeway--I made all sail to sheer alongside of her, and, when under quarter, examined her close. Never saw such a fine swell in the counter, and all so trim--no ropes towing overboard. Well, Mr Simple, I said to myself, `Damnt it, if her figure-head and bows be finished off by the same builder, she's perfect.' So I shot ahead, and yawed a little--caught a peep at her through her veil, and saw two black eyes--as bright as beads, and as large as damsons. I saw quite enough, and not wishing to frighten her, I dropped astern. Shortly afterwards she altered her course, steering for that white house. Just as she was abreast of it, and I playing about the weather quarter, the priests came by in procession, taking the _host_ to somebody who was dying. My little frigate lowered her top-gallant sails out of respect, as other nations used to do, and ought now, and be damned to them, whenever they pass the flag of old England--" "How do you mean?" inquired I.