Oh, cruel was th' engagement in which my true love fought, And cruel was the cannon-ball as knock'd his right eye out; He used to ogle me with peepers full of fun, But now he looks askew at me, because he's only one. Sing tura-la, etc., etc. "Eh! wid your turla-la. You call dat singing?" cried Opposition Bill, stumping up, with his fiddle in his hand. "Stop a little. How you do, Mr. Tom? how you do, pretty lady? Now I sing you a song, and show dat fellow how to make music. Stop a little, Miss Virginny." "Well," said Bill Harness, "I'll just let you sing, that Miss Saunders may judge between us." Virginia felt half inclined to go away; but as the pensioners always treated her with as much respect as any of the ladies of the officers of the hospital, I pressed her arm that she might stay. Opposition Bill then struck up as follows, saying, "Now I give you a new 'Getting upstairs.'" On board of a man-of-war dey hauled me one day, And pitch me up de side just like one truss of hay. Such a getting upstairs I nebber did see, Such a getting upstairs. Dey show me de masthead, and tell me I must go, I tumble on de rattling, and break my lilly toe. Such a getting upstairs I nebber did see, etc. Dey pipe de hands up anchor, and Massa Boatswain's cane Come rattle on our backs, for all de world like rain. Such a getting upstairs, etc. And den dey man de rigging, the topsails for to reef, And up we scull together, just like a flock of sheep. Such a getting upstairs, etc. Dey send de boats away, a Frenchman for to board, We climb de side with one hand, de oder hold de sword. Such a getting upstairs, etc. Now here I sent to Greenwich because I lost a leg, And ab to climb up to de ward upon my wooden peg. Such a getting upstairs, etc. "Dere, now; I ask you, Mister Tom, and de young lady, which sing best, dat fellow, or your humble servant Bill--dat's me?" "You sing very well, Bill," said Virginia, laughing, "but I'm not able to decide such a difficult point." "Nor more can I; it is impossible to say which I like best," continued I. "We must go home now, so good-by." "Thanky you, Mister Tom; thanky you, Missy. I see you wish to spare him feelings; but I know what you tink in your heart." Virginia and I now left the hospital. There was one subject which was often discussed between my sister and me, which was, my situation with regard to Bramble and Bessy. I had no secrets from her, and she earnestly advised me to try if I could not make up my mind to a union with a person of whom I could not possibly speak but with the highest encomiums.